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ANS: 


SE DIVINES WHO 
THE CAUSE 


a’ 


me THE 


LIVES 


OF _ 


THE PURITANS: . 


CONTAINING 


A BIOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT OF THOSE DIVINES WHO 
DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES IN THE CAUSE 


Religious Liberty, 


FROM THE REFORMATION UNDER QUEEN ELIZABETH, 
TO THE ACT OF UNIFORMITY, 
IN 1662. 


BY BENJAMIN BROOK. 


IN THREE VOLUMES. 


VOL. I. 


————ae 


The memory of the just is blessed. —SoLomon. 


The precious spark of liberty had been kindleg, pnd, yas preserved, PY, 
the Purrrans ALone; and it was to this Sect that the Englith.vwe the whdle ’: oo. 


_freedom of their constitation.—Hume. ofecen we « fet 8 


London: 


PRINTED FOR JAMES BLACK, 


YORK-STREET, COVENT-GARDEN. 
———iiee 


1813. 


hd 
fo 
o 
= 
= 


“710 LIBRARY 


| 


&STOR, LENOX AND 
TILDEN FOUNJATIONS 


DEDICATION. 


TO THE 
RISING GENERATION 
‘AMONG THE VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF 
PROTESTANTS. 
_ 
MY YOUNG FRIENDS, 


Tue formation of your principles, the in- 
struction of your minds, and the salvation of 
your souls, are, unquestionably, objects of 
high importance to yourselves, to your con- 


nexions, and to the protestant interest at . 


large. When your fathers are translated from - 
the church militant to the church triumph- 
ant, you will inherit their property, and will 
occupy their stations. On you it will devolve — 
to manage the affairs of religion, to be zealous. _ 
for its interests, and active for its prosperity. 


vi | DEDICATION. 
\ ‘ 


But, if you be ignorant of its principles and 
destitute of its blessings, this zeal and acti- 
vity cannot be expected. By enlightening 
‘your understandings with truth, and by 
impressing your hearts with the power of 
religion, we hope to secure your attachment 
to the cause of God, and to engage your 
talents and your future influence in its 
service. : 

_Of-all books which can be put into your 


- ~ hands, those which relate the labours and 


sufferings of good men are the most inte- 
‘resting and instructive. In them you see 
orthodox principles, christian tempers, and 
holy duties, in lovely union and in vigorous 
operation. In them you see religion shining 
forth in real life, subduing the corruptions of 
- human nature, and inspiring a zeal for every 
good work. In them you see the reproaches 


and persecutions which the servants of God 


have endured ; those gracious principles which 
have supported their minds; and the course 
they have pursued in their progress to the 


=~ 


DEDICATION. | vii 
kingdom of. heaven. Such books are well 
calculated to engage your attention; to affect 


your feelings, to deepen your best impres- 


sions, and to invigorate your noblest resolu- 
tions. They are well calculated to fortify 
you against the a]lurements of a vain world ; 
to assimilate your characters ‘to those of the 
excellent of ‘the earth; to conform your lives 


_ to the standard of holiness; and to educate 


your souls for the mansions of glory. 
The Puritans were a race of men of whom 


' the world was not worthy. They devoted — 
' their days and nights to hard study; they. 


cherished devotional feelings; and they en- 
joyed ‘intimate communion with God. . The 
stores of their minds were expended, and the 
energy of their souls was exerted, to separate 
the truths of the gospel from the heresies of 
the times in which they lived; to resist the 
éncroachments of arbitrary power; to purify 
the church from secularity and corruption; 
and to promote the power of religion among 


the people. They persevered in. this ‘course 


Vili DEDICATION. 


amidst a host of difficulties, and in defiance 
of the most powerful opposition. The rulers 
of those times persecuted them with wanton 
cruelty, in total contempt of every sacred 
law, of every just principle, and of every 
humane feeling. 

From these volumes you will learn, that 
the glorious cause of Nonconformity has’ 
been adorned by the holy lives of a mul- 
titude of good men; has been consecrated 
by the blood of martyrs; and has been sanc- 
tioned by the approbation and protection of 
heaven. | 
. For their exalted attainments in piety, 
their assiduous researches in literature and 
divinity, and their unwearied exertions in the 
cause of God and their country, the Puritan 
divines are entitled -to the admiration and 
reverence of every succeeding age. Our 
political freedom, our religious liberty, and 
our christian privileges, are to be ascribed to 
them more than to any other body of men that 
England ever produced. When you learn 


BEDICATION. ix 


by- what struggles these blessings have been | 
acquired, and at what price they have been 

obtained, you will know. how to estimate 

their value; and you will regard the men 

to whom we -are indebted for them as dis. 
tinguished benefactors to the English nation © 
and the church of God. 

For the sacred cause of religion, the Pu- 
ritan divines laboured and: prayed, wrote and 
preached, suffered and died; and they have 
transmitted it to us to support it, or to let it 
sink. With what feelings will you receive ; 
this precious inheritance? Wrll you lightly: 7 
esteeth what they so highly valued? Will 
_ you stand aloof from the cause which they 
watched with jealous vigilance, and defended | 
with invincible courage? If the blood of 
these men run in your veins, if the principles 
of these men exist in your souls, most as- 
suredly you will not. 

‘That you may learn the wisdom, and 
imbibe the spirit of the Puritans ;—that you 
may take them as patterns, imitate them as 


x DEDICATION. 


examples, and follow them as guides, so far 
as they followed Christ;—that you may 
adhere to the cause of religion with the same 
firmness, adorn it with the same holiness, and 
propagate it with the same zeal, is the fer- 
vent prayer of 


Yours respectfull y 
and affectionately, 


BENJAMIN BROOK. 
Tursury, 
October 6, 1818. 


PREFACE. | 
—_—_>-—_—_—_— 


Ax no period has biographical history been so 
much esteemed and promoted as in these days of 
christian freedom. The memoirs of wise and good 
men, especially such as have suffered for. the tes- 
timony of a good conscience, afford interesting 
entertainment and valuable instruction. To rescue 
from oblivion impartial accounts. of their holy 
actions, their painful sufferings, and their triumph- 
ant deaths, will confer a deserved honour upon — 
their memory: and there is, perhaps, no class of 
men whose history better deserves to be transmitted. , 
to posterity than that of the persons stigmatized by 
the name of Puritans. | 

' The cruelties exercised upon them were indeed " 
very great, THEY SUFFERED FOR THE TESTIMONY 
OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE, and an AVOWED ATTACH- 
MENT TO THE CAUSE OF CuRist. The proofs which 
they gave of their zeal, their fortitude, and their 
integrity, were certainly as great as could be given, 
They denied themselves those honours, prefer- 


Xi PREFACE. 


ments, and worldly advantages by which they 
were allured to conformity. They suffered re- 
- proach, deprivation, and imprisonment; yea, the 
loss of all things, rather than comply with those 
inventions and impositions of men, which to them 
_appeared extremely derogatory to the gospel, 
which would have robbed them of liberty of con- 
science, and which tended to lead back to the 
darkness and superstitions of popery. Many of | 
them, being persons of great ability, loyalty, and 
interest, had the fairest prospect of high pro- 
motion; yet they sacrificed all for their noncon- 
formity. Some modestly refused preferment when 
offered them: while others, already preferred, 
were prevented from obtaining higher promotion, 
because they could not, with a good conscience, 
‘ comply with the ecclesiastical impositions. Nor 
was it the least afflictive circumstance to the 
Puritan divines, that they were driven from their 
flocks, whom they loved as their own souls; 
and, instead of being allowed to labour for their 
spiritual and eternal advantage, were obliged to 
spend ‘the best of their days in silence, imprison- 
ment, or a state of exile in a foreign land. 

‘ The contents of these volumes tend to expose 
the evil of bigotry and: persecution. When pro- 
fessed Protestants oppress and persecute their 
brethren of the same faith, and of the same 
- communion, it is indeed marvellous. The faithful 
page of history details the fact with the most 
glaring. evidence, or we could scarcely have 


PREFACE. xi 


believed it.. A spirit of intolerance and oppression . 


ever deserves to be held up to universal abhor- 
rence. In allusion to this tragic scene, Sir Wilham 
Blackstone very justly observes, ‘‘ That our an- 
“ cestors were mistaken in their plans of compul- 
‘‘ sion and intolerance: The sin of schism, as such, 
“is by no means the object of coercion and 
“ punishment. All persecution for diversity of 
‘“‘ opinions, however ridiculous or absurd they 


“‘ may be, is contrary to every principle of sound 


“¢ policy and civil freedom. ‘The names and sub- 
_ “ordination of the clergy, the posture of devo- 
“‘tion, the materials and colour of the minister’s 
“garment, the joining in a known or unknown 
“‘ form of prayer, and other matters of the same 
. “ kind, must be left to the opinion of every man’s 
“ private judgment. For, undoubtedly, all per- 
‘““gecution and oppression of weak consciences, 
‘on the score of religious persuasions, are highly 
“ unjustifiable upon every principle of natural 
' * reason, civil liberty, or sound religion.”* 
Perhaps no class of men ever suffered more re- 
proach than the Puritans, Archbishop Parker stig- 
matizes them as “schismatics, belly-gods, deceivers, 


flatterers, fools, having been unlearnedly brought 
up. in profane occupations, being puffed up with | 


arrogancy.”t His successor Whitgift says, “‘ that 
when they walked in the streets, they hung down 
their heads, and looked austerely; and in com- 


* Blackstone’s Comment. vol. iv. p. 51—53. Edit. 1771. 
t Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 481.—Peirce’s Vindication, part i. p. 61. 


‘“ 


1 


xiv | PREFACE. 


_ pany they sighed much, and seldom or never 
laughed. ‘They sought the commendation of the 
' people; and thought it an heinous offence to wear 
cap and surplice, slandering and backbiting ° 
their brethren. As for their religion, they se-. 
parated themselves from the congregation, and 
would not communicate with those who went to 
church, either in prayer, hearing the word, or 
sacraments; despising all, who were not of their 
sect, as polluted and unworthy of their com- 
pany.”* Dugdale denominates them “a viperous 
brood, miserably infesting these kingdoms. They 
pretended,” says he, “to promote religion and 
a purer reformation; but rapine, spoil, and the — 
destruction of civil government, were the woeful 
effects of those pretences. They were of ther 
father the devil, and his works they would do.” 
A modern slanderer affirms, ‘“ that they main- . 
tained the horrid principle, that the end sanctifies 
the means; and that it was lawful to kill those 
who opposed their endeavours to introduce their 
_model'and disciplmne.”{ Surely so much calumny 
_ and falsehood are seldom found in so small a 
compass. 

Bishop Burnet, a man less influenced by a 
spirit of bigotry and intolerance, gives a very dif- 
ferent account of them. ‘ The Puritans,” says 
he, “ gained: credit as the bishops lost it. ‘They 
put on the appearance of great sanctity and 

* Strype’s Annals, vol. ii. p. 5. | 

t Dugdale’s Troubles of Eng. Pref. 

t Churton’s Life of Nowell, p. 215. 


= 


PREFACE. xv 


_ gravify, and took more pains in their parishes 
than those who adhered to the bishops, often 
preaching. against the vices of the court. Their 
labours and their sufferings raised their reputa- 
tion and rendered them very popular.* Hume, 
who treats their principles with ridicule and 
contempt, has bestowed upon them the highest 
eulogium. ‘‘ So absolute,” says he, ‘“ was the 
“ authority:of the crown, that the precious spark 
“ of liberty had been kindled, and was preserved, 
“ by the Purttans alone; and it was to this sect 
*‘ that the English owe the whole freedom of their 
“ constitution.”f 

It is granted that they had not all equally clear 
views of our civil and religious rights. Many of 
their opinions were confused and erroneous; yet 
their leading principles were the same. Though 
they had, in general, no objection to a national 
establishment, many of them maintained, “‘ That 
all true church power must be founded in a 
divine commission: that where a right to com- 
mand is not clear, evidence that obedience is a 
duty is wanting: that men ought not to make 
more necessary to an admittance into the church 
than God has made necessary to an admittance 
into heaven: that so long as unscriptural impo- 
sitions are continued, a further reformation of the 
church: will ‘be necessary: and that every one 
who must answer for himself hereafter, must 


* Burnet’s Hist. of his Time, vol. i. p. 17, 18. 
t Hume’s Hist. of Eng. vol. v. p. 134. - 


xvi - PREFACE, 
judge for himself now.”* These wete the grand 
principles of their nonconformity. 

' The author of these volumes has spared no 
labour:por expense in the collection of materials, 
and bas. used the utmost care to retain whatever 
appeared: interesting, curious, and useful. Not 
writing to please any particular sect or party, he 
has endeavoured to observe the strictest impar- 
tiality. In the lives of these worthies, he has not 
suppressed their unperfections, nor even the accu- 
ations of their adversaries; but has constantly 
stated their faults, as well as their excellencies, 
without reserve. Neither has he at any time con- 
nived at bigotry and persecution, whether found 
among prelates, presbyterians, or ‘any others. 
Whoever were the persecutors or aggressors, their 
case is represented, as near as possible, as it is 
found in the faithful pages of history. His sole 
object has been to give a lucid and impartial 
statement of facts. Indeed, the documents are 
_ frequently transcribed in the very wards of the 
authors; and, wishing to retain the genuine sense 
_and originality of the whole as entire as possible, 
he has constantly avoided dressing them in any. 
garb of his own. 

Through the whole, he has invariably given his 
authorities. These might easily have been mul- 
tiplied; but, when two or more authors have 
given accounts of the same facts, he has invariably 
chosen that which appeared the most authentic: 


* Calamy’s Contin. vol. i. Pref. 


| PREFACE; Xvit 


or, when they: have at any time contradicted ‘each 
other, he has:always given both, of followed that 
which appeared most ‘worthy: of credit. Ia the 
Appendix, ‘a correct list is given of the principal 
bookstconsulted; and, for the satisfaction of the 
more critical reader, the particular edition of each 
is specified. In. numerous instances, referénce 
_will be foiind to single lives, funeral sermons, © 
and many other interesting articles, -of which: the 
particularedition ia niostly given.’ In additipn to 
the’ ‘puméraus. rited- works, he has also been 
favoutdd. with ‘the use. of many large manuscrept 
collections, a list. of. which will be found ‘at the 
close of the Appendix. From‘ these rare docu- 
ments he has been enabled to present to the 
.public a great variety of most interesting and 
curious information never before printed: — 

After all, many- Irvéw ‘will -be. found very.. de: 
fective, and will leave, the inquisitive reader nnin- 
formed in numerous.important particulars.’ Such 
defect ‘was unavoidable ‘at this distance of time; 
when, after the ‘utmost research, no further m- 
formation could possibly. be procured. The 
author has spent considerable labour to obtain a 
correct list of the works.of .those whose lives ‘he 
has given, and to ascertain the true orthography 
of the names of persons and places. Though, in 
each of these particulars, he has succeeded far 
beyond his expectations, yet, in some instances, 
he is aware of the deficiency of his jsformation.. 
He can only say, that he -has availed himself of 


VOL. I. b 


bese 


xviii PREFACE. 


every advantage within his reach, to render the 
‘whole as complete and interesting as possible. 

The lives of these worthies are arranged in a 
chronological order, according to the time of their 
deaths.* By such arrangement, the work contains 
a regular series of the History of Nonconformists 
during a period of more than a hundred years. 
It does not in the least interfere with any other 
publication ; and forms.a comprehensive append- 
‘age to Neal’s “ History of the Puritans,” and a 
series of biographical history closely connected 
with Palmer’s “ Nonconformist’s Memorial,” con- 
taining a complete memorial of those noncon- 
formist divines who died previous to the passing 
of the Act of Uniformity. To this, however, 
there are some exceptions. There were certain 
persons of great eminence, who lived after the 
year 1662; yet, because they were not 3 the 
church at that period, they come not within the 
list of ejected ministers, but are justly denomi- 
nated Puritans. Memoirs of these divines will 
therefore be found in their proper places. 

It was requisite, in a work of this nature, to 
give some account of the origin and progress of 
Nonconformity, together with a sketch of the nu- 
merous barbarities exercised ‘upon the Puritans. 
This will be found in the Introduction, which 
may not prove unacceptable to the inquisitive and - 

*It should here be remembered, that, in all cases, when the 


particular period of their deaths could not be ascertained, the let 
cirowmstance noticed in their lives is taken for that period. 


é 


PREFACE. | x1X 


pious reader. - If. its length require any apology, 
the author would only observe, that he hopes no 
part of it will be found superfluous or uninterest- . 
ing; that he has endeavoured to give a compressed 
view of the cruel oppressions of the times; and 
that it would have been difficult to bring the 
requisite information into a narrower compass. 
The work contains an authentic investigation 
of the progress and imperfect state of the English 
reformation, and exhibits the genuine principles 
of protestant and religious liberty, as they were 
violently opposed by the ruling ecclesiastics. The 
fundamental principles of the reformation, as the 
reader will easily perceive, were none other than 
the grand principles of the first Protestant Non- 
conformists. Those reasons which induced the 
worthy Protestants to seek for the reformation 
of the church of Rome, constrained the zealous 
Puritans to labour for the reformation of the 
church of England. The Puritans, who wished 
to worship God with greater purity than was 
allowed and established in the national church,* 
were the most zealous advocates of the reform- 
ation; and they used their utmost endeavours to 
carry on the glorious work towards perfection. 
They could not, with a good conscience, submit 
to the superstitious inventions and impositions of 
‘men in the worship of God; on which account, 
they employed their zeal, their labours, and their 
influence to promote a more pure reformation. 


' * Fuller’s Church Hist. b. ix. p. 76, 


XxX PREFACE. 


And because they sought; though in the most 

peaceable manner, to have the church of England 

purged of all its antichristian impurities, they were 

stigmatized with the odious name of Puritans, and 

many of them, on account of their nonconformity, 

were suspended, imprisoned, and persecuted even 

unto death. These volumes, therefore, present to 

the reader a particular detail of the arduous and 
painful struggle for religious freedom, during the 

arbitrary reigns of Queen Elizabeth, King James, 

and King Charles I., to the restoration of King 
Charles TI, 

The. reader will here find a circumstantial 
account of the proceedings of the High Com- 
mission and the Star Chamber, the two terrible 
engines of cruelty and persecution. The former of 
these tribunals assumed the power of administer- 
ing an oath ex officio, by-which persons were coni- 
strained to answer all questions proposed to them, 
though ever so prejudicial to themselves-or others: 
if they refused the unnatural oath, they were cast 
into prison for contempt; and if they took it, they 
were convicted upon their own confession. The 
tyrannical oppressions and shocking barbarities 
of these courts are without'a parallel in any Pro- 
testant country, and nearly equal to the Romish - 
inquisition. ‘The sévere examinations, the nu- . 
merous suspensions, the long and miserable im- 
prisonments, with other brutal usage, of pious and 
faithful ministers, for not wearing a white surp ! 
not baptizing .with. a cross, not dneeling at the 


PREFACE. | xxi 


sacrament, not subscnbing to articles without 
foundation in law, or some other equally trivial 
circumstance, were among the inhuman and ini- 
quitous proceedings of those courts. 

These intolerant and cruel transactions, instead 
of reconciling the Puritans to the church, drove 
them farther from it. Such arguments were found 
too weak to convince men’s understandings and 
‘consciences; nor could they compel them to 
admire and esteem the church fighting with such 
weapons. ‘These tragic proceedings created in 
the nation a great deal of ill blood, which, alas! 
continues in part to this day. While the govern- _ 
ing prelates lost their esteem among the people, 
the number and reputation of the Puritans greatly 
increased, till, at length, they got the power 
into their own hands, and shook off the painful 
yoke. 

That the Puritans in general were men of great 
learning, untarnished piety, and the best friends 
to the constitution and liberties of their country, 
no one will deny, who is acquainted with their 
true character ‘and the history of the times: in 
which they lived.. Many of them, it is acknow- 
ledged, were too rigid in their behaviour: they had 
but little acquaintance with the rights of consci-_ 
ence ; and, in some instances, they treated their 
superiors with improper language: . but, surely, 
the depriyation, the imprisonment, or the putting 
of them. to death for these trifles, will never be 
attempted, to be vindicated i in modern times. 


e 


” ¥Xii PREFACE. 


The author is aware, however, of the delicacy of 
many things here presented to the public, and of 
the difficulty of writing freely without giving 
offence. But, as honest truth needs no apology, so 
the pernicious influence of bigotry, superstition, 
and persecution, he thinks, can never be too fairly 
and openly exposed. He also believes that all 
professing Christians, except those who are blind 
‘devotees to superstition, or persecutors of the 
church of God, will rejoice to unite with him in 
holding up these evils as a warning to posterity. 

The work is not to be considered as a medium, 
or a test of religious controversy, but an historical 
narrative of facts. It is not designed to fan the 
flame of contention among brethren, but to pro- 
mote, upon genuine protestant principles, that 
christian moderation, that mutual forbearance, 
and that generous affection, among all denomina- 
tions, which 1s the great ornament and excellency 
of all who call themselves Protestants. A correct 
view of the failings and the excellencies of others, 
should prompt us to avoid that which is evil, and 
to imitate that which is good. 

_ When we behold the great piety and constdncy 
with which our forefathers endured the most bar- 
barous persecution, will not the sight produce in 
our minds the most desirable christian feelings ? 
Though we shall feel the spirit of indignity against 
the inhumanity and cruelty of their persecutors, 

will not the sight of their sufferings, their holiness, 
‘and their magnanimity, awaken in our breasts the 


PREFACE. XXiil- 


spirit of sympathy and admiration? Shall we not 
be prompted to contrast our own circumstances 
with theirs, and be excited to the warmest thank- 
falness that we live not in the puritanic age, but 
in days of greater christian freedom? Shall we not 
be constrained to exclaim, ‘“‘ The lines are fallen 
to us in pleasant places; yea, Lord, thou hast 
given us a goodly heritage?” . 

The author has not attempted to justify any 
irregularities in the opinions, the spirit, or the 
conduct of the Puritans. Although he acknow- 
ledges that he has, in numerous instances, en- 
deavoured to prove their innocence, against the 
evil reproaches and groundless accusations of 
their adversaries, so far as substantial evidence 
could be collected from historical facts; yet he 
has never attempted to vindicate-their infirmities, 
or to connive at their sins. ‘They were men of 
like passions with ourselves; and, from the cruel 
treatment they met with, we cannot wonder that 
they sometimes betrayed an improper temper. 
Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad. Oh, 
that we may learn to imitate their most amiable 
edowments ! 

Though he does not expect to escape the cen- 
Sires of angry partisans, he will thankfully receive 
2Y corrections or improvements from those who 
ae disposed to communicate them, promising to 
€kethe best use of them in his power. If his 
“eyours should, through the blessing of God, 
eguccessful in exciting Protestants, of various 


XXi¥ PREFACE, 


denominations, to a zealous imitation of the ex- 
. cellent qualities of their worthy ancestors, he will 
in no wise lose his reward. 

The author wishes here to present a tribute 
of gratitude to his namerous friends, who have 
favoured him with the use of books and other 
materials for the work ; and, under a deep senge 
of his multiplied obligations, he now requests them 
to accept his most grateful acknowledgments.* 
He desires particularly to express his special 
obligations to the Trustees of Dr. Williams’s 
Library, Red-Cross-Street, ‘London, for the use ~ 
ef several volumes of most curious .and valuable 
manuscripts. | | 


* Valuable communications of books or manuscripts have been 
received from the following ministers:—The late Dr. Edward 
Williams, Rotherham—Dr. Joshua Toulmin, Birmingham—Dr. 
Abraham Rees, London-—Dr. John Pye Smith, Homerton— Mr. 
Timothy .Thomas, Ialington—Mr. Joseph Ivimey, London—Mr, 
‘ John Sutcliff, Omey—Mr. William Hayris, Cambridge—Mr. James 
Gawthorn, Derby—Mr. Joshua Shaw, Iikeston— Mr. Thomas 
‘Roome, Sutton in Ashfield—Mr. William Salt, Lichfield—Mr. 
John. Hammond, Handsworth—Mr. Samuel Bradley, Manchester— 
Mr. John Cockin, Holmfirth—Mr. John Tallis, Cheadle. Also from 
the following gentlemen :—Francis Fox, M. D, Derby—John Audley, 
Esq. Cambridge—Mr. Walter Wilson, London—Mr. J, Simco, ditto 
. —Mr. Joseph Meen, Biggleswade—Mr. T. M. Dash, Kettering— - 
Mr. James Ashton, Leek—Mr. Isaac James, Bristol—Mr. Williana 
Daniel, Lichfield, | | 


\ 


- CONTENTS OF VOL. 1. 


oie 


INTRODUCTION, containing a Sketch of the History of Nonconformity, 
' , from the Reformation to the passing of the Act of Uniformity, in 


1662. 


SECTION 


I. From the Commencement of the Reformation, to.the . Death of 
Queen Mary, .....cccccccsccccccvecccccccccccteceses 
II. From the Death of Queen Mary, to the Death of Queen 
Elizabeth, ..cccccccccsccccccrcsscccscccecvcasccescctes 


HII. From the Death of Queen Elizabeth, to the. Death of King 


James L, Poe CHOOSE EE H Ea SEBEHe POETeRTITeTeErrrrerr yr 


IV. From the Death of King James I., to the Deatlt of King 


Charles I.,.... 


V. From the Death of King Charles I.; to the passirg of the Act 
of Uniformity, COS FCHCHECHOHOHSCStr CROSHRCHOH LOH eet OBHenseone 


John Bale ....cccccosecce 
John Pullain ...ccccccece 
John Hardyman ......... 
Miles Coverdale ..... o. 
William Turner ...«.....006 


. Rebert. Hawkins eoececeee 


Andrew Kingsmill ....... 
Christopher Colman....... 
William Axton -.... ..006 
- Thomas Becon 
Gilbert Alcock cccccceses 
David Whitehead ......00 


. Mr. Millain cece euscccecs 


William Bonham acetesece 


Robert Johnson “oe Cotes 


Richard Taverner. .....0. 
R. Harvey o...cc-cecceee 
Eaward Deering cececpece 
. Thomas Aldrich ..;..000. 
Thomas Lever .......000; 


Zit: 
at3 -- 


—_ 
101 $ Francis Merbury ......... 
114 William Whittingham ;...; 
116 ; Mr. Lawrance ....ccossee 
HiT) 3) John Handson ......cc0e.. 
128 3° Robert Wright ......00.., 
188 Bernard GHpim .ccccsssse 
149 3 John-Copping «...scesse0- 
150 Thomas Underdown «<...- .. 
151 -§° Mr. Sandersom .....s0cee 
166 John Hilt ...ceccecccscos 
170 Nitholas Brown ...ccesse 
112 Richard:-Crich o:ccooce.. 
174 Anthory Gilby ....00-ce- 
ib. Tobn Edwin wcccocsccccce 
1%6 Edward Brayne ..ccsvcc. 
169 --$ Barnaby Benison .. .... 
101 $ William Negus .2......... 
193 John Stroud oo. .esecccuee 


John Browning ee@oenuseeee® 
Stephen Turner eecaneeqones 


PAGE 


SESEFPSRLIASSRESRRRE x 


33° 


xxvii CONTENTS. 


PAGE 


John Ward ..c-.ccs.-ceee 305 John Garbrand ......ccce. 


N 


Edmond Rockrey ........ 306 Dudley Fenner ........... 
H. Gray .occ.cceeseeeee 308 Cuthbert Bainbrigg ...... 
Robert Moore .....ccce-+. 309 Edmund Littleton......... 
Edward Gellibrand ...... 311 Edward Lord .......e0-0. 
Edward Glover... ...-... 318 Andrew King ........-0. 
John Walward ........... 314 Malancthon Jewell ....... 
John Gardiner ....... ... 316 Edward Snape ........06- 
Nicholas Standen......... 317 John Holmes ......0.... 
John Field ...........26. 318 }$ Richard Greenham........ 
John Huckle ............ Giles Wigginton .....cee- 
Thomas Barber .....-ec0. 

Robert Cawdrey .....0..- 

Lever Wood ....cccsccoee 

Humphrey Fenn ........ 

$ Daniel Wright ........... 

William Proudlove ...... 

John More ........sc000. 


324 
John Fox....ccccccosvece S326 
John Wilson ........05+- 399 
Pohn Elliston 2... sescoee 355 
Robert Crowley........-. 357 
Nicholas Crane ..... ce. 

Lawrence Humphrey ..... 

Thomas Sampson .....0+0. 5 
William Fulke ......6.... 385 


—iiiiee— 
CONTENTS OF THE NOTES. 


Anecdote of Henry VIIL and his jester ......0-....0.4. 2 eceeees 
John Hooper nominated Bishop of Gloucester .....2.......+0.. 
Joan Bocher’s distribution of the New Testament .............-. 
The number of sufferers in the days of Queen Mary ...........0. 
Cranmer and Ridley wished the habits to be abolished .......... 
Ridley a famons dispuatant ......... .cccccscvevccccccccceccces 
The deliverance of the protestant congregation .....cccccssccese 
John Rough a celebrated preacher errr errrrr rrr er Ter rrr Tree 
. "s remarkable dream .......00 ssscccscccecvcsccos 
‘A curions petition to Queen Elizabeth .........cececcsceseeeees 
The Act of Uniformity in the reign of Queen Elizabeth .......... 
Robert Cole preferred for his conformity ...........cccscsceve 
Whitgift at first a friend to the nonconformists ........c.e+-see- 
Title of a letter from Scotland ......0¢-00ssceccscccccccesccee. 
Bishop Maddox’s false insinuation ..........000..cccccvccsen 
The charaeter of Archbishop Parker .....-cccs00cescocsceecs 
Archbishop Grindal .....-.c0ccscccs ccscesee 
The ministers suspended in Suffolk ....0.0.-- cer cccccocscduccee 
in Essex cove evcceneescscseacescenees 


CONTENTS. KXVil 


kord Gray wished to have the bishops expelled '.....cccscceeres 
Anecdote of Martin Mar-Prelate  ...-.scccceccsesecscscoececes 
Bancrofet’s famous sermon at Paul’s-crose ....0000. cvcrcccecsces 
Sir Walter Raleigh’s estimate of the Brewnists § .....20+.e2000.. 
The nobility patrons of the puritans .......c-ceccsccsccoscoece 
The namber of ministers suspended er deprived ......0.eccccess 
Bancroft’s flattery ef King James ...ccccccccccccccccccvcccece 
Whitgift’s magnificent train . ..-cocc-c0e cocccccccevcccccees 
The number of ministers suspended ...cccccevcccccrccscccccees 
The crue] oppressions of the puritans 2.2 i..ccvcese:coccoccsces 
The character of Archbishop Bancroft ....scsccocscccccvecece 
King James kicked Legatt with his royal foot ....scccsecoces © 
Thomas Legatt died in Newgate ....scccccee geosccceccccccces 
John Selden’s great learping ......cscorsccccscccccccacccccoce 
Archbishop Abbot opposed the Book of Sports ....cccccccceces 
The character of King James ......2.0-00. oo ccccccvccccescces 
The censure and preferment of Dr. Manwaring . ..-.....sc.0e0es 
Curious pictures in St. Edmund’s church ....0.ccccovcoccccscces 
The character of Archbishops Abbotand Laud ...e...cceesceee 
A minister’s sop excommunicated ........0c00 secceccsccorscce 
The nwober of ministers driven to New England .....-.+-..ce0es 
Great sums paid for the release of poncopformists § .......-eee0- 
Archbishop Laud called a little urchin ...cccscccccccoccccecce 
The oppressions of the convocation in 1640 ...ccccocccccvcevece 
The sub-committee to assist the committee «4... ceccccccecesece 
The character of the bigh commission ...csccccescsccecccseces 
Debates about the remonstrance «=. cecroscccecccssccorcsccecs 
The Book of Sports abolished .....cccccccsccccscccevocccecens 
List of the assembly of divines ,......ccccccsccccsccccccccvcers 
List of lords and commons to assist the assembly ......0ecceessen 
Welwood’s account of Archbishop Laud =... ss se cccccccccccccce 
A curious anecdote of Land ......ccccccccccccctccscccccccsccs 
Losdon mipisters declared against the king’s death ....eeeesees 
Venner’s insurrection amd execution —..sssoccsesescccoscecses 
Kennet’s opinion of the Act of Uniformity ....sccesssesccecees 
The character of Dr. Richard Cox .scssccccccscscccveccccccecs 
The death of the famous William Tindal «= .esesssceccccccccoes 
The fall.of Lord Cromwell cc cccccccccescvcccccccccccccssce 
The faneral of Queen Katharine Parr ..cesccccsccccoccccccces 
Tee barbarities of Queen Mary's reign ....sccccccecsccsessoecs 
Bishop Ridley in prison .....cccccccveccccccccccsscesccesoee 
The separatists released from prison ...cccssccccccscsecccscece 


ee o8& 


SSLESESLSSSRKSSSSee 


xxviii CONTENTS. 


‘The examination of Witism White 
fir Robert Corbet a friend to the poritans . 
A carious anecdote of the surplice +++ 
of kneeling atthe sacrament .. 
Account of Bishop Bentham ” 
Becon's book ngalant-popery suppremed by Lasd .... 
Bishop Maddox's account of severe proceedings 
‘The indictment of Mr, Johnson 
Actount of Cardinal Woliey. «+ 
Curious anecdoter of Queen Filaubeth 
‘The character of Roger Ascham ..+06 
Bishop Aylmer's foul language 
Bishop Plikington'y excellent totter -. 
‘The psalms turned into metre «+600. 
Account of Bishop Aylmer 
Peter Marty + 
‘The character of Bishop Tonstal . 
A form of warrant to convene mintsters 
Christmas not conformably observed 
Sir Fdmund Anderson a furious persecutor 
Lord Burleigh & friend to the puritans 
Earl of Bedford afriend todo, «4.4 
Fox's Book of Martyrs expelled from the ch 
Rating flesh forbidden tn tent 
Dutch anabaptinty burnt. 
Account of Mra Honiwood.. 
An order from the high commission . 
Curious imeription on a collin « 
Account of Si Thomas Bodley . 
Bishop Jewel « 
Astrology grently admired 
Anecdote of Queen Elisabeth +... 
Bishop Parkborst a friend to the puritans 
‘Dr. Heylin’s curious taleof Mr. Snape «4. 
Bir Walter Mildmay a friend to the paritans 
Hume's character of Archbishop Whitgift 
A warrnnt to the keeper of the Gatehouse 
Attorney Morrice » sealous advocate for liberty 
‘The imprisonment of Mary Queen of Beots 
Account of Sir Francis Walyingham . 


LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


INTRODUCTION: 


CONTAINING A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF NONCONFOR- 
MITY FROM THE REFORMATION, TO THE PASSING OF THE 
‘ACT OF UNIFORMITY, IN 1662. 


eee eee 


Sect, I. 


From the Commencement of the Reformation, to the Death 
of Queen Mary. 


Previous to the accession of King Henry VIII. popish 
darkness overspread the whole island of Britain. This 
was followed by a train of most unhappy consequences. 
Ignorance, superstition, immorality and persecution were 
predominant in every part of the kingdom. Those who 
presumed to think for themselves on religious subjects, 
and to dissent from the national church, underwent all the 
oppressions and severities of persecution. From the days 
of Wickliffe to this time, great numbers of excellent chris- 
tians and worthy subjects, fell sacrifices to popish cruelty. 
This proud monarch being at first a most obedient son of the 
pope, treated the bold confessors ot truth as obstinate 
rebels; and because their piety and integrity condemned 
his licentiousness, he put multitudes to cruel tortures and 
. to death. 

_ Soon after Luther arose in Saxony, England became 
affected by his bold and vigorous opposition to the errors 
of the church of Rome. The young king, vain of his 
scholastic learning, was unwise enough to meet the bold 
reformer on the field of controversy, and published a book 


\ 


2 INTRODUCTION. 


against him.* Luther treated his royal antagonist with 
sarcastic contempt, contending that truth and science knew 
no difference between the prince and the plebeian. The 
pope, however, craftily flattered the vanity of the royal 
author, by conferring upon him. the title of Defender of 
the Faith,t which Henry was weak enough to value as 
the brightest jewel in his crown. This pompous reward 
from his holiness was conferred upon him in the year 
1521.4 

The haughty king soon discovered his ingratitude. He 
quarrelled with the pope, renounced his authority, and 
became his avowed enemy. Being weary of Queen 
Katharine his wife, with whom he had lived almost twenty 
years; and having long sought, but in vain, to be divorced 
by the pope, he was so much offended, that he utterl 
rejected the papal power, authority and t ranny in England. . 
This was a dreadful blow against the Romis supremacy. 
But the king soon after procured the dignified and flat- 
tering title of Supreme Head of the Church of England. 
This additional jewel to his crown was conferred upon him, 
first by the clergy in convocation, then by act of parlia-. 
ment. Thus, in the year 1534, Henry VIII. having re- 
nounced the supremacy of the pope, and having placed him- 
self in the chair of his holiness, at least as far as concerned 
the English church, did not fail to manifest his usurped 
power and authority. He did not intend to ease the people 
of their oppressions, but only change their foreign yoke for 
domestic fetters, dividing the pope’s spoils betwixt himself 
and his bishops, who cared not for their father at Rome, 
so long as they enjoyed honours and their patrimony under 
anotlfer head. | : 


* Mr. Fox observes, that though “ this book carried the king’s name ia 
the title, it was another who ministred the motion, and framed the style. 
But whosoever had the labour of the book, the king had the thanks and the 
reward.’’—Acts and Monuments of Martyrs, vol. ii, p. 51. 

+ It has been said, that the jester whom Henry, according to the custom 
of the times, retained at court, seeing the king overjoyed, asked tbe reason 3 
and when told, that it was because his holiness had conferred upon him this 
new title, he replied, ‘* my good Harry, let thee and me defend each 
other, and let the faith alone to defend itself.” If this was spoken as & 
serious joke, the fool was undoubtedly the wisest man of the two. 

¢ Burnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol. i. p. 19.—King Henry afterwards got this 
sacred title united to the crown, by act of parliament; and, curious and 
inconsistent as it may appear, it is retained to this day.— Heylin’s Hést. of 
Pres. p. 235. 

§ Burnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol. i. p. 112. 136. 157. 

§ Memoirs of Col. Hutchinson, vol. i. p. 103. Edit. 1810, 


INTRODUCTION. 3 


On June 9, 1536; assembled the first reformed convoca- 
tion in England ; in which Lord Cromwell, prime secre- 
tary, sat in state above the bishops, as the king’s vicegerent 
in all spiritual matters.* On this occasion, Cromwell, by 
order of the king, declared, ‘“‘ That it was his majesty’s 
pleasure, that the rites and ceremenies of the church should 
be reformed by the ruLEs or Scripture, and that nothing 
should be maintained which did not rest on that authority ; 
for it was absurd, since the scriptures were acknowledged 
to contain the laws of religion, that recourse should be 
had to glosses or the decrees of popes, rather than to 
them.”+ Happy had it been, if the reformers of the 
church of England had invariably adhered to this sacred 
principle. Much, however, was done even at this early 
period. The pious reformers rejoiced to see the holy 
scriptures professedly made the only standard of faith and 
worship, to the exclusion of all human traditions. The 
immediate worship of images and saints was now renounced, 
and purgatory declared uncertain. But the corporeal pre- 
sence in the sacrament, the preservation and reverence of 
images, with the necessity of auricular confession, were still 
retained.t The publication of ‘Tindal and Coverdale’s - 
Translations of the Bible, greatly promoted the work of 
reformation ; though it soon received a powerful check by 
the passing of the terrible and bloody act of the Six 
Articles. ‘By this act, all who spoke against transubstan- 
tiation were td be burnt as heretics, and suffer the loss of 
all their lands and goods; and to defend the communion in 
both kinds, or the marriage of priests; or, to speak against 
the necessity of private mass, and auricular confession, 
was made felony, with the forfeiture of lands and goods.§ 
Towards the close of this king’s reign, the popish party 
obtained the ascendancy ; the severity of persecution was 
revived ; and the Romish superstitions greatly prevailed. 
Till now, these superstitions had never becn denominated 
laudable ceremonies, necessary rites, and godly constilu- 
tions. All who refused to observe them, were condemned 
as traitors against the king. To make the standing of the 
persecuting prelates more secure, and their severities the 
more effectual, this was ratified by act of parliament.} 
Many excellent persons were, therefore, condemned to the 
flames : among whom were the famous Mr. Thomas Bilney, 

* Fuller’s Church Hist. b. w p. 20T. 


t+ Burnet's Hist. of Refor. vol. i, p. 214. t Ibid. p. 218. 
§ Strype’s Cranmer, p. 72. ) Ibid. p. 130. 


4 ~ INTRODUCTION. 


‘Mr. Richard Byfield, Mr. John Frith, and Dr. Robert 
Barnes, all highly celebrated for piety and zeal in the cause 
of the reformation.* 

King Henry was succeeded by his son, Epwanp VI., a 
prince of most pious memory. Being only nine years 
and four months old when he came to the crown, he 
was free from bigotry and superstition, and ready to observe 
the instructions of Archbishop Cranmer and the Duke of 
Somerset, by whose aid and influence, he set himself to 

romote sound religion. Upon his accession, the penal 
laws against protestants were abolished, the chains of many 
worthy persons confined in prison were struck off, the 
prison-doors were set open, and the sufferers released. 
Others who had fled from the storm, and remained in a 
state of exile, now with joy returned home. Among the 
former .were old Bishop Latimer and John Rogers ;+ and 
among the latter, were Hooper, afterwards the famous 
martyr, and Miles Coverdale, afterwards a celebrated puri- 
tan.t Men of real worth were esteemed and preferred. 
Hooper became Bishop of Gloucester, and Coverdale was 
made Bishop of Exeter. The monuments of idolatry, 
with the superstitious rites and ceremonies, were com- 
manded to be abolished, and a purer form of worship 
introduced. Though, during this reign, the reformation 
made considerable progress, the greatest part of the paro- 
chial clergy were in a state of most deplorable ignorance : 
but to remedy, as far as possible, this evil, the pious reform- 
ers composed and published the book of Homilies for 
their use.; The order of public worship was a Liturgy 
or Book of Common Prayer, established by act of par- 
liament. Though this act did not pass without much 
opposition, cially from the bishops, some were so 
enamoured with the book, that they scrupled not to say, 
‘¢ it was compiled by the aid of the Holy Ghost.’’ 

In the year 1550, the altars in most churches were taken 
away, and convenient tables set up in their places.1 ‘ And 
as the form of a table,” says Burnet, ‘“ was more likely 
to turn the people from the superstition of the popish mass, 
and bring them to the right use of the Lord’s supper, 
Bishop Ridley, in his primary visitation, exho the | 


Fox's Martyrs, vol. ii. p. 227, 241, 256, 445. 

Burnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol. ii. p. 25. 

Fuller’s Church Hist. b. vii. p. 371. 

Buroet’s Hist, of Refor. vol. ii. p- 25, oT. | Ibid. p- 94. 
MS, Remarks, p. 51. 


M+ + 4 & 


INTRODUCTION. 5 


curates and churchwardens in his diocese, to have it in 
the fashion of a table, decently covered.”’* This was very 
congenial to the wishes of many of the pious reformers, 
who, at this early period, publicly avowed their noncon- 
formity to the ecclesiastical establishment. Among the 
articles of the above visitation, the bishop inquired, 
‘¢ Whether any of the anabaptists’ sect, or others, use any 
unlawful or private conventicles, wherein they use doctrine, 
or administration of sacraments, separating themselves from 
the rest of the church? And whether any minister doth 
refuse to use the common prayers, or minister the sacra- 
_ ments, in that order and form, as set forth in the Book 
of Common Prayer?”’+ The disputes about conformity 
were carried into the pulpits; and whilst some warmly 
preached against all innovations, others as warmly preached 
against all the superstitions and corruptions of the old 
Romish church ; so that the court prohibied all preaching, 
except by persons licensed by the King or the Archbishop 
of Canterbury. 

In the convocation of 1552, forty-two Articles of Reli- 
gion were agreed upon by the bishops and clergy, to which 
subscription was required of all ecclesiastical persons, who 
should officiate or enjoy any benefice in the church. And 
all who should refuse, were ta be excluded from all 
ecclesiastical preferment. This appears to be the first time 
that subscription to the articles' was enjoined.; Here the 
reformation under King Edward made a stand. 

During this king’s reign, there were numerous debates 
about the habits, rites and ceremonies ; and many divines 
of great learning and piety, became zealous advocates for 
nonconformity. ‘They excepted against the clerical vest+ 
ments, kneeling at the communion, godfathers and their 
promises and vows in baptism, the superstitious observance 
of Lent, the oath of canonical obedience, pluralities and 
nonresidence, with many other things of a similar descrip, 
tion. At this early period, there was a powerful and very 
considerable party disaffected to the established liturgy.1 
Though the reformation had already made considerable 
progress, its chief promoters were concerned for its further 
advancement. They aimed ata more perfect work; and 


* Burnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol. ii, p. 158, 
+ Sparrow’s Collection, p. 36. 
Burnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol. iii. p. 195. . 
Sparrow’s Collection, p. 39.—Strype’s Eccl. Mem. vol. ii. p. 420. 
ij MS. Remarks, p. 51. q Fuller's Church Hist. b. vii. p. 426, 


6 INTRODUCTION. 


manifested their disapprobation of the numerous ish 
ceremonies and superstitions still retained in the church. 
King Edward desired that the rites and ,ceremonies used 
under popery, should be purged out of the church, and 
that the English churches might be brought to the apos- 
totic puRity. Archbishop Cranmer waa also very desivous 
to promote the same ;* and he is said to have drawn up 
a book of prayers incomparably more perfect than that 
which was then in use; but he was connected with so wicked 
a clergy and convocation, it could not take place.+ And 
the king in his diary Jaments, that he could not restore the 
primitive discipline according to his heart’s desire, because 
several of the bishops, some through age, soine through 
ignorance, some on account of their ill name, and some 
out of love to popery, were opposed to the design} 
Bishop Latimer complained of the stop put to the retorm- 
ation, and urged the necessity of reviving the primitive 
discipline. ‘The professors of our two universities, Peter 
Martyr and Martin Bucer, both opposed the use of the 
clerical vestments. ‘To Martyr the vestments were offensive, 
and he would not wear them. ‘ When I was at Oxford,” 
says he, ‘* J would never use those white garments in the 
choir; and I was satisfied in what I did.” He styled 
them mere relics of popery. Bucer giving his advice, said, 
¢¢ That as those garments had been abused to superstition, 
and were likely to become the subject of contention, 
they ought to be taken away by law; and ecclesiastical 
discipline, and a more thorough reformation, set up. He 
disapproved of godtathers answering in the child’s name. 
He recommended that pluralities and nonresidences might — 
be abolished ; and that A ishops might not be concerned in 
secular affairs, but take care of their dioceses, and govern 
them by the advice of their preshyters.”” ‘The pious kin 
was so much pleased with this advice, that ‘* he set himself 
fo write upon a further reformation, and the necessity of 
church discipline.”] Bucer was displeased with various 
corruptions in the liturgy. ‘* It cannot be expressed, 
how bitterly he bewailed, that, when the gospel be 

to spread in England, a greater regard was not 

to discipline and purity of rites, in constituting the 


* Neal's Puritans, vol. j. p. 78.—Strype’s Cranmer, p. 289. 

+ Troubles at Frankeford, p. 43. 

{ King Edward's Remains, numb, 2. in Burnet, vol, it. 
Burnet's Hist. of Refor, vol. il. p. 152, 

J Ibid. vol. fi. p- 165-157. 


a 


INTRODUCTION. 7 


churches.”* He could never be prevailed upon to wear 
the surplice. And when he was asked why he did not 
wear the square cap? he replied, ‘‘ Because my head 
is not square.’’+ The famous Dr. Thomas Sampson, after- 
wards one of the heads of the puritans, excepted against 
the Habits at his ordination, who, nevertheless, was admit- 
ted by Cranmer and Ridley.t But the celebrated John 
. Rogers and Bishop. Hooper, according to Fuller, were 
‘‘ the very ringleaders of the nonconformists. They re- 
nouneed all ceremonies practised by the papists, conceiving 
(as he has expressed it) that such ought not only to be 
clipt with shears, but shaven with a razor; yea, all the 
stumps thereof pluckt out.’’§ 

The sad effects of retaining the popish habits in the 
church, began to appear at-a very early period. In the 
year 1550, a debate arose, which to some may appear of 
small consequence; but, at this time, was considered of 
great importance to the reformation. The debate was 
occasioned by Dr. Hooper’s nomination to the bishopric 
of Gloucester. Burnet denominates him a pious, zealous, 
and learned man. Fuller says, he was well skilled in 
Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.| He was some time chaplain 
to the Duke of Somerset, and a famous preacher in the ~ 
city of London ;1 but declined the offered preferment tor 
two reasons,—1, Because of the form of the oath, which 
he calls foul and impious. And, 2. Because of the popish 
garments. ‘The oath required him to swear by the saints, 
as well-as by the name of God; which Hooper thought 
impious, because the Searcher of Hearts alone ought to 
be appealed to in an oath. The young king being con- 
vinced of this, struck out the words with his own pen. 
But the scruples about the habits were. not. so easily got 
over. The king and council were inclined to dispense 
with them, as his majesty openly signified in the above 
Jetter to Cranmer: but Cranmer and Ridley were of another 


* Heylin’s Hist. of Refor. p. 65. + Strype’s Parker, Appen. p. 4, 

¢{ Strype’s Cranmer, p. 192. § Church Hist. b. vii. p. 402. 

|| Burnet’s Refor. vol. iii. p.199.—Fuller’s Church Hist. b. vii. p. 402, 
403.—King Edward, in his letter of nomination to Cranmer, dated Aug. 5, 
1550, writes thus: ‘‘ We, by the advice of our council, have called and. 
‘chosen our right well-beloved and well-worthy Mr. John Hooper, professor 
of divinity, to be our Bishop of Gloucester; as*well for his learning, deep 
judgment, and long study, both in the scriptures, and profane learning; as 
also for his good digcretion, ready utterance, and honest life for that kind 
of vocation.’’—Jbid. - 

a Strype’s Cranmer, p. 211. 

** Burnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol. iii. p. 203. 


8 INTRODUCTION. 


mind, and refused their allowance. Ridley was there- 
fore nominated to a deputation with Hooper, with a view 
to bring him to a compliance ; but this proved ineffectual. 
Hooper still remained unconvinced, and prayed to be 
excused from the old symbolizing popish garments. These 
garments, he observed, hag no countenance in scripture or 
primitive antiquity : they were the inventions of antichrist, 
and introduced into the church in the most corrupt ages: 
they had been abused to idolatry, particularly in the pom- 
pous celebration of the mass: and to continue the use of 
them, was, in his opinion, to symbolize with antichrist, to 
mislead the people, and incansistent with the simplicity 
of the christian religion.» He could appeal to the Searcher 
of Hearts, that it was not obstinacy, but the convictions 
of his conscience alone, which made him refuse these gar- 
ments.+ 
Ridley’s endeavours proving unsuccessful, Hooper was 
committed to the management of Cranmer, who, being 
unable to bring him to conformity, laid the affair before 
the council, and he was committed to the I'leet. Having 
remained in prison for several months, the matter was come 
promised, when be was released and consecrated.¢ He con- 
sented to put on the vestments at his consecration, when 
he preached before the king, and in his own cathedral ; 
but was suffered to dispensc with them at other times.§ 
How this business was adjusted, and with what degree of 
severity he was persccuted, is related by Mr. Fox, in the 
Latin edition of his ‘* Acts and Monuments of the Mar- 
tyrs.” The passage, says Mr. Peirce, he hath left out in 
all his English editions, out of too great tenderness to the 
party. ‘ Thus,” says Mr. Fox, “ended this theological 
quarrel in the victory of the bishops, Hooper being 
ced to recant; or, to say the least, being constrained to 
eppear once in public, attired after the manner of the 
bishops. Which, unless be had done, there are those 
who think the bishops would have endeavoured to take 
away his life: for his servant told me,” adds the mar- 
We ogist, ** that the Duke of Suffolk sent such word to 
fooper, who was not himself ignorant of what they were 
doing.”y = Horrid barbarity | ho, before Hooper, was 
ever thrown into prison, and in danger of bis life, merely 


* Neal’s Puritans, vol. i. p. 62. + Fuller's Church Hist. b. vit. p. 406, 

3 Ktry pe’s Cranmer, p. 2) 1—215.— Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xvibi. p. 260, 
Burnet’s Hist. of Kefor. vol. it. p. 166, 

§ Peirce’s Vindication, parti. p. 30. 


INTRODUCTION. 9 


because he refused a bishopric? It was certainly some kind | 
of excuse, that the bishops would not consecrate him contrary 
to law ; but there can be no excuse for his imprisonment, 
and their conspiring to take away his life. When Houper 
wished to be excused accepting the offered preferment upon 
the conditions of the ecclesiastical establishment, was there 
any law to constrain him, contrary to the convictions of 
his own conscience? Ridley, however, who was by far the 
most severe against Hooper, lived to change his opinions, 
as will appear hereafter. Z mo 

Most of the reforming clergy were of Hooper’s senti- 
ments in this controversy. Several who had submitted to 
the habits in the late reign, now laid them aside: amo 
whom were Bishops Latimer and Coverdale, Dr. Rowlan 
Taylor, John Rogefs, John Bradford, and John Philpot, 
all zealous nonconformists. They declaimed against then 
as mere popish and superstitious attire, and not fit for the 
ministers of the gospel.» Indeed, they were not so much 
as pressed upon the clergy in general, but mostly left as 
matters of indifference.+ 

During this reign, certain persons denominated anabap- 
tists, having fled from the wars in Germany, and come to 
England, propagated their sentiments and made proselytes 
in this country. Complaints being brought against them 
to the council, Archbishop Cranmer, with several of the 
bishops and others, received a commission, April 12, 
1550, “ to examine and search after all anabaptists, 
heretics, or contemners of the common prayer.” As 
they were able to discover such persons, they were to 
endeavour to reclaim them,.and, after penance, to give 
them absolution; but all who continued obstinate, were 
to be excommunicated, imprisoned, and delivered over to 
the secular power. Several tradesmen in London being 
convened before the commissioners, abjured; but Joan 
Bocher, or Joan of Kent, was made a public example. 
She steadfastly maintained, ‘‘ That Christ was not truly 
incarnate of the virgin, whose flesh being sinful, he could 
not partake of it; but the word, by the consent of the 
inward man of the virgin, took flesh of her.”t These 
were her own words; not capable of doing much mischief, 
and, surely, undeserving any severe punishment, The 
poor woman could not reconcile the spotless purity of 

* MS. Chronology, vol. i. p. 35. (30. 


) 
' + Burnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol. iii. p. 310, 311. 
{ Burnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol.-ii. Collec. p. 168. 


‘ » 


10 INTRODUCTION. 


Christ’s human nature, with his receiving flesh from a sinful 
_ ereature; for which she was declared an obstinate heretic, 
and delivered over to the secular power to be burnt. The 
compassionate young king thought, that burning persons 
for their religious opinions savoured too much of that for 
which they censured the papists; therefore, when he could 
mot prevail upon himself to sign the warrant for her 
execution, Cranmer, with his superior learning, was em- 
ployed to persuade him. He argued from the practice 
of the Jewish church in stoning blasphemers; which 
silenced, rather than satisfied the king. *He still looked 
upon it as cruel severity. And when at last he yielded to 
the archbishop’s importunity, he told him, with tears in his 
eyes, “‘ That if he did wrong, since it was in submission 
to his autbority, he should answer for it to God.” This is 
said to have struck the archbishop with much horror; yet 
he suffered the sentence to be executed.» 

Besides those denominated anabaptists, there were also 
many others who administered the sacraments in other 
manner than was prescribed in the Book of ‘Common 
Prayer. ‘To prevent the number of these nonconformists 
from increasing, and to crush all who had already imbibed 
their sentiments, another commission was issued, empower- 
ing the archbishop and others to correct and punish them.+ 
And in the year 1552, Cranmer and others received a third 
commission from the council, to examine a certain sect 
hewly sprung up in Kent.t ‘This was a sect of noncon- 
formists, though their peculiar sentiments do not appear. 
Mr. Fox, in the Latin edition of his * Martyrs,”’ observes, 
‘© That one Humphrey Middleton, with some others, had 
been kept prisoners in the last year of King Edward by 
the archbishop, and had been dreadfully teazed by him 
and the rest in commission, and were now just upon the 
point of being condemned ; when in open court he said : 
Well, reverend Sir, pass what sentence you think fit upon 


* Burnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol. ii. p. 111, 112.—This female sufferer, 
according to Mr. Strype, ‘‘ was a great reader of the scriptures, and 
formerly a great disperser of Tindal’s New Testament; which book she 
dispersed in the court, and so became acquainted with certain women of 
quality. She used, for the greater secrecy, to tie the books with strings 
under her apparel, and so pass with them into the court.” Thus sbe 
exposed her own life, in dangerous times, to bring others”to a knowledge 
of God’s hoty word.—Strype’s Eccl, Memorials, vol. ii. p. 214. 

+ Strype’s Parker, p. 27. t Strype’s Cranmer, p. 291. - 

§ This person, a native of Ashford, in Kent, was afterwards burnt ia 
the days of Queen Mary.—Foz’s Martyrs, vol. iii. p. 313. | 


INTRODUCTION. 12 


us; but that you may not say you were not forewarned, I 
testify that your own turn will be next. And accordingly 
it came to pass; for a little whilé after, King Edward 
died, when the prisoners were set at liberty, and the 
archbishop and bishops cast into. prison.”* The above 
severities, shewing the imperfect state of the English reform- 
ation, will be handed down to posterity, as monuments 
of lasting reproach. to our famous reformers. Persecution, 
whoever may be the persecutors, deserves ever to appear 
in all its detestable and shocking features, — 

In the year 1553, upon the death of King Edward, his 
sister Mary coming to the crown, soon overturned the 
reformation, and restored the whole body of popery. 
The queen was a violent papist ; yet she at first declared, 
‘‘ That though her conscience was settled in matters of 
religion, she was resolved not to compel others, only by 
the preaching of the word.”+ How far her majesty ad- 
hered to this sacred maxim, the numerous tragic scenes of 
her bloody reign, afford too strong a proof. She, within 
the same month, prohibited all preaching without her 
special license; and further declared, ‘‘ That she would 
not compel her subjects to be of her religion, til public 
order should be taken.”’t This was a clear intimation of 
the approaching storm. Many of the principal reformers 
were immediately cast into prison. ooper was sent to 
_ the Fleet, and Cranmer and Latimer to the Tower, and 
-above a thousand persons retired into foreign parts :; among 
‘ whom were five bishops, five deans, four archdeacons, 
and a great number of doctors in divinity, and cele- 
brated preachers. In the number of worthy exiles were 
Coverdale, Turner, Sampson, Whitehead, n, Lever, 
Whittingham, and Fox, all afterwards famous in the days 
of Queen Elizabeth.| The two archbishops and most 
of the bishops were deprived of their sees. The most 
celebrated preachers in London were put under confine- 
ment, and no less than 12,000 of the clergy, for being 
married, were turned out of their livings; some of whom 
were deprived without conviction ; some were never cited 
to appear; and many, being confined in prison, and unable 
to appear, were cited and deprived for non-appearance. 
' Jn the mean time, the service and reformation of Kin 
Edward were abolished, and the old popish worship an 
ceremonies revived. 


* Peirce’s Vindication, part i. p. 35. 
+ Burnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol. ii. p. 245. Ibid. § Ibid. p. 247, 250, 
{] Strype’s Cranmer, p. 314.  Burnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol. ii. p. 276. 


12 INTRODUCTION. 


During this queen’s reign, several hundred persons 
suffered death under the foul charge of heresy ;* amon 
whom wete great numbets of pious and learned divines, 
all zealous for the reformation. Many of these divines 
being avowed nonconformists in the reign of King Edward, 
maintained their principles even at the stake. Mr. John 
Rogers, the protomartyr, peremptorily refused to wear the 
habits, unless the popish pricsts were enjoincd to wear 
upon their sleeves, as a mark of distinction, a chalice with - 
an host, ‘The same may be observed of Mr. John Phil 
and Mr. T'yms, two other eminent martyrs.+  Bisho 
Latimer derided the garments ; and when they priled 
the surplice at his degradation, he suid, Now Ff can make 
no more holy water, {n the articles against Bishop Farrar, 
it was objected, that he had vowed never to wear the cap 
but that he came into his cathedral in his long gown and 
hat; which ho did not deny, alleging that he did it to 
avoil superstition, and giving offence to the people.t¢ 
When the popish vestments were put upon Dr. Taylor, 
at his degradation, he walked about with his hands by his 
sides, snying, ** How say you, my lord, am I nota godly 
fool? How say you, my masters, if I were in Cheapside 
should [ not have boys enough to laugh at these cepich 
toys and toying trumpcry?” And it is observed, that when 
the surplice was pulled off, he said, Now J am rid of at 
fool's cout. The famous John Bradford excepted agninst 
the habits, and was ordained without them; and even 
Cranmer and Ridley, who, in the late reign had exercised 
stent severity agninst Hooper and others, lived to see their 
mistakes, and to repent of their conduct. Cranmer bein 
clothed in the habits, at his degradation, said, “ All this 
needeth not. 1 had myself done with this years ago.”} 
Ridley, when he refused to put on the surplice at his 
flegradation, and they pnt it on by force, * vehemently 
nveighed against it, calling it foolish and abominable, and 
$00 fmt for a vice in a play.’ And even during his 
confinement in prison, he wrote to Hooper, saying, “ ‘That 


* Barnet reckons the number of those who anffered in the flames to he 
204; and Mr. Mirype, 26H; bat it ie said there were no lees than #00, 
during Queen Mary's bloody persecution,—/bid. p, 364.—Sirype’s Keel. 
Mom. vol, hii, Appen. p. 21. 

+ Heylin's Hist. of Refor. part i. p. 93. 

$ Fon's Martyrs, vol. iii. p. 164, 17%. § Thid. p. 148. 

ft is observed that both Cranmer and Ridley intended co have procured 
anact for abolishing the habits, but were provented.— Potrce’s Vindication, 
parti. p. 44. 

@ Fou's Martyrs, vol. iil. p. 497, 


oo 


INTRODUCTION. : 13 


he was entirely knit to him, though in some circumstances 
ef religion they had formerly jarred a little; wherein it 
was Hooper’s wisdom, and his own simplicity, which had 
made the difference.’’+ 

All the severe persecution in this queen’s reign, did not 
extinguish the light of the English reformation. Great 
numbers were driven, indeed, into exile, and multitudes 
suffered in the flames, yet many, who loved the. gospel | 
more than their lives, were enabled to endure the storm. 
Congregations were formed in various parts of the kingdom. 
There was a considerable congregation of these excellent 
christians, at Stoke, in Suffolk ; with whom, on account of 
their number and unanimity, the bishops were for some 
time afraid to interfere. ‘They constantly attended their 
private meetings, and never went to the parish church. An 
order was at length sent to the whole socicty, requiring 
them to reccive the popish sacrament, or abide by the 
consequences. But the good people having assembled 
for the purpose of consultation, unanimously resolved not 
to comply. dn about six months, the Bishop of Norwich 
sent his officers, strictly charging them to go to church 
on the following Lord’s day, or, in case of failure, to 
appear before the commissary to give an account of their 
conduct. But having notice of this, they kept out of the 
way to avoid the summons. When they neither went to 
church, nor appeared before the commissary, the angry 
prelate suspended and excommunicated the whole con- 
gregation. And when officers were appointed to appre- 

end them, they left the town, and so escaped all the days 
of Queen Mary.+ 

The most considerable of these congregations, was that 
which met in and about London. Owing to the vigilance 
of their enemies, these people were obliged to assemble 
with the utmost secrecy ; and though there were about 200 
members, they remained for a considerable time undis- 
covered. Their meetings were held alternately in Aldgate, 
in Blackfriars, in Pudding-lane, in Thames-street, and in 
ships upon the river. Sometimes they assembled in the 
villages about London, especially at Islington, that they 
might the more easily elude the bishops’ officers. To 


* Prince’s Chron. Hist. vol. i. p. 217.—Bishop Ridley was a famous 
disputant against the papists. He forced them to acknowledge, that 
Christ in his last supper, held himself in his hand, and afterwards eat 
himself.—Granger’s Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 159. | 

+ Clark's Martyrologie, p. 515. ‘ 


/ 


‘4 '_ INTRODUCTION. 


sereen themselves from the notice of their persecutors, they 
often met in the night, and experienced many wonderful 
providential deliverances.© Their public devotions were 
conducted by the following ministers : Edmund Scambler, 
afterwards successively Bishop of Peterborough and Nor- 
wich, Mr. Fowler, Mr. John Rough, Mr. Augustine Birnher 
Thomo Bontham, afterwards Bishop of Lichfield and 
Coventry, and Mr. John Pullain, afterwards an excellent 
uritan.+ 
P During Mr. Rough’s ministry among these people, he 
wan apprehended, with Mr. Cuthbert Sympson and some 
othorn, at a house in lelington, where the church was about 
to awemble for prayer and preaching the word; and being 
tuken before the council, after several examinations, he 
was sent to Newgate, and his case committed to the 
management of Bonner. The character of this prelate, 
whow hands were so deeply stained with innocent blood, 
needa no colouring in this place: the faithful pages of his- 
tory will always hold it up to the execration of mankind. In 
hie hands, Mr. Rough met with the most relentless cruelty. 
Not content with degrading him, and delivering him over 
to the secular power, the furious prelate flew upon him, 
and plucked the beard from his face. And, at length, 
aller much cruel usage, he ended his life in the flames, in 
December, 1457.¢ Mr. Sympson, who was deacon of the 
chureh, was a pious, faithful, and gealous man, labouring 
tnecmantly to preserve the flock from the errors of popery, 
mul to seoure them frum the dangers of persecution. At 
the thue af his apprehension, the whale church was, indeed, 
in the udnost danger. tC was Mr. Sympson’s office to keep 
w book, containing the names af all the persons belonging 
te the cumregation, which book he always carried to their 
private avemblics. Bud iC was so ordered, by the good 


® Ce ane of thease Bactarwal ecvasions, Being acanmbied ie a boase, by 
Whe site af the Lived, fH DRamematinet, Chee were decwcered: and the house 
Wan w etatied, that Unete ewemice weve sare wane cell exape. Bat 
leg TOMA Was a WETTRN mariner, Whe enedng He ether war of delivers 
WAND, BE wat ata Rack deors ald aw fming te a Donal ja the river, 
Ry Ware treet all che gael penple late it, be wsade cars of bis 
wire, AWA CaVeved tien all away te safen. — Clarts Martereiagéa, 
W SMA ME, @ UW ~Rirypes Agra. wal ip 2a 

¢ BOWS Margen wal Op. RR TRA MR dad hea a cele- 
Rieaeed pavaetee: Wa Sovataedls avd ates Be Bagtard, oa ee of Edward 
WR NV wan whe’ be dehiveand the ewer of &. Andrew, 
Wer want a Ww ba the Me, Fehe Kao, and prewsd 
 caasabades inte Raehan emit engage ta bh pedla aniencry.— Bing. 


INTRODUCTION. 15 


evidence of. God, that on the day of his apprehension, 

e left it with Mrs. Rough, the minister’s wife.» Two or 
three days after this, he was sent to the Tower. During 
his confinement, because he would not discover the book, | 
nor the names of the persons, he was cruelly racked three 
several times; and an arrow was tied between his two fore- 
fingers, and drawn out so violently as to cause the blood to 
gush forth ; but all was without effect. He was then com- 
mitted to Bonner, who bore this testimony concerning him 
before a number of spectators : ** You see what a personable 
man this is; and-for his patience, if he were not an heretic, 
I should much commend him. For he has been thrice 
racked in one day, and, in my house, he hath endured 
some sorrow; and yet I never saw his patience once 
moved.” The relentless prelate, nevertheless, condemned 
him, ordering him first into the stocks in his coal-ho 
and from thence to Smithfield; where with Mr. Fox 
Mr. Davenish, two others of the church taken at Islington, 
he ended his life in the flames.t Seven more of this 
church were burnt in Smithfield, six at Brentford, and 
cthers died in prison. 

The numerous divines who fled from the persecution of 
Queen Mary, retired to Frankfort, Strasburgh, Zurich, 
Basil, Geneva, and other places; but they were most nu- 
merous at Frankfort. At this place it was, that a contest 
and division commenced, which gave rise to the Puritans, 
and to that Separation from the church of England 
which continues to this day. ‘The exiles were in no place 
so happily settled as at Frankfort; where the senate gave 
them the use of a church, on condition that they should 
net vary from the French reformed church, cither in 
doctrine or ceremonies. According to these conditions, 
they drew up a new liturgy, more agreeable to those of the 
foreign churches, omitting the responses and the litany, 
with many trifling ceremonies in the English prayer book, 
and declined the use of the surplice. They took possession 


* A few nights before this, Mr. Rough had a remarkable dream. He 
thought he saw Mr. Sympson taken by two of the guard, and with the 
book above-mentioned, This giving him much trouble, he awoke, and 
telated the dream to his wife. Afterwards, falling asleep, he again dreamt 
the same thing. Upon his awaking ‘the second time, he determined to g° 
immediately to Mr. Sympson, and put him upon his guard; but while he 
was getting ready, Mr, Sympson came to his house with the book, which 
be deposited with Mrs, Rough, as above related.— Foz, vol. iii. p. 726. 

t Ibid. p. 726, 729.—Clark’s Martyrologie, p. 497. 

- $ Fox’s Martyrs, vol. iii. p. 732, 734. 


16 - INTRODUCTION. 


of ‘the church, July 29, 1554; afd ‘having chosen a 
temporary minister and deacons, they sent to their brethren, 
who had fled to other places, inviting them to Frankfort, 
where they might hear God’s word truly preached, the 
sacraments ‘duly administered, and the requisite christian 
discipline properly exercised : privileges which could not be - 
obtained in their own country.* The members of the congre- 
ation sent for Mr. John Knox from Geneva, Mr. James Had- 
on from Strasburgh, and Mr. Thomas Lever from Zurich, 
requesting them to take the oversight of them in the Lord. 
The church at Frankfort being thus comfortably settled 
with pastors, deacons, and a liturgy, according to its own 
choice; Dr. Richard Cox, a man of a high spirit, coming 
to that city, with some of his friends, broke through the 
conditions of the new-formed church, and interrupted the 
| public service by answering aloud after the minister. On 
e Lord’s day following, one of the company, equally 
officious as himself, ascended the pulpit, and read the 
whole litany. Mr. Knox, upon this, taxed the authors 
of this disorder with a breach of the terms -of their 
common agreement, and affirmed, that some things in the 
Book of Common Prayer were superstitious and impure. 
Dr. Cox reproved him for his censoriousness ; and being 
admitted, with the rest of his company, to vote in the 
congregation, obtained a majority, prohibiting Mr. Knox 
from preaching any more.+ But Mr. Knox’s friends applied 
to the magistrates, who commanded them to unite with 
the French church both in doctrine and ceremonies, ac- 
cording to their original agreement. Dr. Cox and his party 
finding Knox’s interest among the magistrates too strong, 
had recourse to an unworthy and unchristian method to get 
rid of him: This divine having published a book, while he 
was in England, entitled ‘‘ An Admonition to Christians,”’ 
in which he had said, ‘‘ That the emperor was no less an 
enemy to Christ than Nero,” these overbearing fellow- 
exiles basely availed themselves of this and some other 
expressions in the book, and accused him of high treason 
against the emperor. Upon this, the senate being tender 
of the emperor’s honour, and unwilling to embroil them- 
selves in these controversies, desired Mr. Knox, in a 
respectful manner, to depart from the city. So he left the 
place, March 25, 1555. 


* Troubles at Frankeford, p. 1—3. 
+ Cox and his friends were admitted. to vote in the congregation, through 
the particular solicitations of Mr. Knox.—Jbid. p. 33. , 


INTRODUCTION.: 17 


Upon Mr. Knox’s departure, Cox’s party having strength 
ened themselves by the addition of other exiles, petitioned 
the magistrates for the free use of King Edward’s service- 
book ; which they were pleased to grant. The old congre- 
. gation was thus broken up by Dr. Cox and his friends, who 

now carried all before them. ‘They chose new church- 
officers, taking no notice of the old ones, and set up the 
service-book without interruption. Among those who were 
driven from the peaceable and happy congregation, were 
Knox, Gilby, Goodman, Cole, Whittingham, and. Fox, 
all celebrated nonconformists in the reign of Qucen 
Elizabeth.» From the above account, it will sufficiently 
appear who were the aggressors. Bishop Burnet, with 
great injustice, says, ‘* That Knox and his party certainly 
began the breach.”+ — 
owards the close of this queen’s unhappy reign, her 
vernment having sustained many losses, her spirits failed, 
‘her health declined, and, being seized with the dropsy, she 
died November 17, 1558, in the forty-third year of her 
age, having reigned a little more than five years and four 
months. Queen Mary was a princess of severe principles, 
and being wholly under the controul of her clergy; was 
ever forward to sanction all their cruelties. Her conscience 
was under the absolute direction of the pope and her cone 
fessor; who, to encourage her in the extirpation of heresy, 
and in all the cruelties inflicted upon protestants, gave 
her assurance, that she was doing God service. She was 
naturally of a melancholy and peevish temper; and her 
death ‘was lamented only by her popish clergy.t Her 
reign was in every respect calamitous to the nation, and 
will be transmitied to posterity in characters of blood. 


~~ 


“Sect. II. 


From the Death of Queen Mary, to the Death of Queen 
| Elisabeth. 


Tue accession of Queen Ex1zABETH to the crown, gave 
new life to the Reformation. The news had no sooner 
reached the continent, than most of the worthy exiles with 
joy returned home; and those who had concealed themselves, 
during the late storm, came forth as men restored from the 


~ »* Troubles at Frankeford, p. 1~—&c. . 
+ Hist. of Refor. vol. ii. p. 339. + Ibid. p. 369-371. 
c 


18 INTRODUCTION. 


dead.* By the queen’s royal proclamation, the public 
worship of God remained some time without alteration. 
All preaching was prohibited ; and the people were charged 
to hear only the epistles and gospels for the day, the ten. 
commandments, the litany, the Lord’s prayer, and the 
creed, in English. No other prayers were to, be read, nor 
other forms of worship to be observed, than those alread 
appointed by law, till the meeting of parliament.t : 
The parliament being assembled, the two famous acts, 
entitled ‘“ The Act of Supremacy,”t and “ The Act of 
‘Uniformity of Common Prayer,” were passed. The former 
gave rise to a new ecclesiastical court, called The Court of 
{16H Commission, which, by the exercise of its unlimited 
power and authority, became the engine of inconceivable 
oppression to multitudes of the queen’s best subjects. The 
latter attempted, indeed, to establish a perfect uniformity 
in public worship, but it could never be effected.;. During 
the whole of this reign, many of the best divines and 
others, -were dissatisfied with the Book of Common Prayer, 
and with the rigorous imposition of it in divine worship. 
Some things contained in the book, they considered to be 
erroneous; others superstitious; and the greater part to be 
derived from the corrupt fountain of popery, and, there- 
fore, could not with a good conscience observe the whole ; 
on which account, they were treated by the prelates with 
the utmost severity. ‘The principal debate in the first par- 
liament of this queen’s reign, was not whether popery or 
protestantism should be established; but whether they 
should carry on the reformation, so happily begun in the | 
‘days of King Edward, to a greater degree of perfection, 
and abolish all the remains of superstition, idolatry, and 


* It is observed, that when the exiles and others came forwards in public, 

- acertain gentleman made suit to the queen, in behalf of Matthew, Mark, 

Luke, and John, who had long been imprisoned in a Latin translation, 

that they also might be restored to liberty, and walk abroad as formerly in 

the English tongue. To this petition her majesty immediately replied, 

** That he should first know the minds of the prisoners, who perhaps 

desired no such liberty as he requested.” — Heylin’s Hist. of Refor. 

‘  p. 275. 

+ Burnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol. ii. p. 378.—Strype’s Annals, vol. i. 
p. 41—44. t Ibid. p. 69. 

_ § This act was designed to establish a perfect and universal conformity, 
among the laity, as well as the clergy. It required ‘« all persons diligently 
and faithfully, having no lawful or reasonable excuse, to resort to theic 

~ parish church, every Sunday and all holidays, on pain of punishment by 
the censures of the church, and also on pain of forfeiting twelve-pence for 
every such offence, to be levied by way of distress."—Burn's Eccl. Law, 
vol, ii. P- 145. Edit, 1775. . 


INTRODUCTION. 19 


" popish innovations, which being still retained in the church, 
were stumbling blocks to many worthy subjects.* 

In the year 1559, the queen published her Injunctions, 
consisting of upwards of fifty distinct.articles. She com- 
manded all her loving subjects obediently to receive, and 
truly to observe and keep them, according to their offices, 
degrees and-estates, upon pain of suspension, deprivation, 
excommunication, and such other censures as to those who 
had ecclesiastical jurisdiction under her majesty, should 
seem meet.t ‘Though in these injunctions the queen mani- 
fested some disapprobation of the Romish superstitions and 
idolatry, she was much inclined to retain images in churches, 
‘and thought they were useful in exciting devotion, and in 
drawing people to public worship. Her object was to 
unite the papists and protestants together.t She still re- 
tained a crucifix upon the altar, with lights burning before 
it, in her own chapel, when three bishops offici all in 
rich copes, before the idol. Instead of stripping religion 
of the numerous, pompous ceremonies with which it was 
incumbered, she was inclined rather to keep it as near as 
possible to the Romish ritual: and even some years after 
her accession, one of her chaplains having preached m 
defence of the real presence, she presented her public thanks 
to him, for his pains and piety. She spoke with great 
bitterness against the marriage of the clergy, and repented 
having made married persons bishops.1 Her majesty 
having appointed a committee of divines to review Ki 
Edward's liturgy, she commanded them to strike out : 
passages offensive to the pope, and to make the people 
easy about the corporeal presence of Christ im the sacra- 
ment.» The liturgy was, therefore, exceedingly well fitted 
to the approbation of the papists.1+ The queen com- 
manded, that the Lord’s table should be placed in the form 
of an altgr; that reverence should be made at the name of 
Jesus; that music should be retained in the churches; and 
that all the festivals should be observed as in times of - 
popery.tt The reformation of King Edward, therefore, - 
instead of being carried forwards and perfected, was, ac- 
cording to Burnet, removed considerably backwards, partly 


* MS. Remarks, p. 463. + Sparrow’s Collec, p. 65—86. 
" Burnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol. ii. p. 397. § Ibid. vol. iii. p. 292. 
} Heylin’s Hist. of Refor. p. 124. Edit. 1670. 
- 4 Strype’s Parker, p. 109. 
- “** Barnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol. ii. p. 392. 
~ +4 Heylin’s Hist. of Pres. p. 259. 
+t Heylin’s Hist. of Refor. p. 283. Edit. 1674. 


20 INTRODUCTION. 


from the queen’s love of outward magnificence in religion, 
and partly in compliance with the papists.* 

Many of our excellent reformers who had espoused the 
cause of nonconformity, in the days of King Edward, 
retained their principles, and’acted upon them, during ~ 
their exile in a foreign land, especially those who being 
driven from Frankfort, settled at Geneva and other places. 
Nor did they forget their principles upon the accession of 
Elizabeth. Having settled for several years among the 
best reformed churches in Europe, they examined more 
minutely the grand principles of the reformation, and 
returned home richly fraught with wisdom and knowledge. 
Thev wished to have the church purged of all its anti- 
christian errors and superstitions, and to have its discipline, 
its government, and its ceremonies, as well as its doctrine, 
regulated by the standard of holy scripture. On the con- 
trary, many of the bishops and clergy being too well 
affected to popery, opposed a thorough reformation, 
accounting that of King Edward sufficient, or more than 
sufficient, for the present church of England. Therefore, 
so early as in the year mentioned above, there were many 
warm debates betwixt the two contending parties.t 

In addition to the oath of supremacy, a compliance 
with the act of uniformity, and an exact observance of 
the queen’s injunctions, a public creed was drawn up by 
the bishops, entitled ““ A Declaration of certain principal 
Articles of Religion,” which all clergymen were obliged 
to read publicly at their entrance upon their cures. These 
were, at this time, the terms of mimisterial conformity. 
There was no dispute among the reformers, about the first 
and last of these qualifications, but they differed in some 
points about the other two. Many of the lcarned exiles 
and others, could not, with a good conscience, accept of 
livings according to the act of uniformity and the queen’s 
injunctions. If the popish garments and ceremonies had 
been left indifferent, and some liberties allowed in the use 
of the common prayer, the contentions and divisions which 
afterwards followed, would no doubt have been prevented. 
But as the case then stood, it was almost miraculous that 
the reformation did not fall back to popery; and if some 
of the nonconforming divines had not in part complied, in 
hopes of the removal of these grievances at some future 
period, that would most probably have been the unhappy 


* Barnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol. iii. p. 905. 
+ Ibid. vol. ii. p. 407.—Baker’s MS, Collec. vol. xxvii. p. 387. 


INTRODUCTION. | 2] 


consequence. Many churches were for a considerable time 
without ministers, and not a few mechanics, and persons 
altogether unlearned, were preferred, which brought much 
- yeproach upon ihe protestant cause; while others of the 
first rank for learning, piety and usefulness, were laid aside 
in silence. There was, indeed, very little preaching through 
ihe whole country.s ~The Bishop of Bangor writes, during 
this year, “that he had only two preachers in all his 
diocese.”+ Indeed the bishops in general were not insensible 
of the calamity; but instead of opening the door a little 
wider, for the allowance of the more conscientious and 
zealous reformers, they admitted the meanest: and most 
illiterate, who would come up to the terms of conformity.t 
And even at this early period, there were many of the clergy, 
who, though preferred to benefices, could nat conform, but 
refused to observe.the public service, and to wear the holy 
rments; at which the queen was exceedingly oftended.§ 
r. Matthew Parker was this year consecrated Archbishop 
of Canterbury. a 
In the year 1562, sat the famous convocation, when 
“The Thirty-nine Articles of Religion,” much the same 
as those of King Edward, were drawn up and subscribed 
by all the members then sitting, and required to be sub- 
scribed ‘by all the clergy in the kingdom. The convoca- 
tion proceeded next to consider the rites and ceremonies of 
the church, when Bishop Sandys presented a paper recom- 
mending the abolition of private baptism, and:the crossin 
of the infant in the forehead, which, he said, was needless and 
very superstitious.| Another paper was, at the same time, 
presented to the house, with the following requests :— 
‘¢ That the psalms may be sung distinctly by the whole 
“‘ congregation; and that organs may be laid aside.—That 
“ none may baptize but ministers; and that they may leave 
“ off the sign of the cross.—That inthe administration of 
“¢ the sacrament, the posture of kneeling may be left indif- 
“ ferent.—That the use of copes and surplices may be 
“ taken away; so that all ministers in their ministry use a 
<¢ grave, comely, and long garment, as they commonly do 
§‘in preaching.—That ministers be not compelled to wear 
“such gowns and caps, as the enemies of Christ's gospel 
“‘ have chosen for the special array of their priesthood.— 
‘¢ That the words in the thirty-third article, conccrning the 


* Biog. Britan. vol. v. p. 3297. Edit.1747. + MS. Register, p. 886. 
{ Neal’s Puritans, vol. i. p. 146. 


§ Strype’s Parker, p. 106. jj Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 997. 


99 INTRODUCTION. 


“ punishment of those who do not in all things conform to 
“the public order about ceremonies, may be mitigated.— 
‘¢ That all the saints’ days, festivals, and holidays, bearing 
* the name of a creature, may be abrogated.”—This paper 
was subscribed by one provost, five deans, twelve arch- 
deacons, and fourteen proctors, many of whom were 
eminent for learning and ability; but their requests were 
rejected.* mo 
In the above convocation, there was a great difference of 
sentiment among the learned reformers, which occasioned 
many warm debates upon points of great importance, 
especially upon this, ‘“* Whether it was most proper to 
retain the outward appearance of things, as near as possible 
to what had been practised in times of popery.” While 
the one party maintained the affirmative, the other asserted, 
that this outward resemblance of the Romish church, would 
encourage the people in their former practices, nourish in 
them the old root of popery, and make them a more easy prey 
to their popish adversaries. ‘Therefore they recommended 
that every thing might be removed as far as possible from 
the church of Rome.t In the conclusion, the contrary 
party prevailed: and the bishops, conceiving themselves 
empowered by the canons of this convocation, began to 
exercise their authority by requiring the clergy of their 
respective dioceses to subscribe to the liturgy, the ceremo- 
nies, and the discipline of the church; when. such as 
refused, were branded with the odious name of PurRITANs. 
This was a term of reproach given, them by their enemies, 
because they wished to serve and worship God with greater 
urity than was allowed and established in the church of 
ngland.t All were stigmatized by this name, who distin- 
guished themselves in the cause of religious liberty, and 
who could not in all points conform to the ecclesiastical 
establishment. | 
In the year 1564, Archbishop Parker, with the assistance 
of several of the bishops, published the Advertisements, 
with a view to secure a due conformity among ecclesiastical 
‘persons. By the first of these advertisements, all preachers 
throughout the province of Canterbury were at once disqua- 
lified ; and by the last, they were required to subscribe, and 
promise not to preach or expound the scriptures, without 
a license from the bishop, which could not be obtained 


- © 8trype’s Annals, p. 298. vol. ii. Adden. p, 15, 
+ Burnet's Hist. of Refor. vol. iii. p. 302. . 
+ Fuller’s Church Hist, b. ix. p. 76, 


INTRODUCTION. 23 


without a protcstation and promise under their hand of an 
absolute conformity to the ceremonies. No less than eight 
protestations were also required to be made and subscribed 
by all who should be admitted to any office or cure in the 
church. Though the archbishop and his brethren at first 
met with some difiiculties in carrying them into effect, (the 
queen refusing to sanction them,) yet afierwards, pre- 
suming upon her majesty’s favour, they succeeded according 
to their wishes.t Upon the approach of these severities, 
Mr. Whittingham wrote a long and pressing letter to the 
Iarl of . Leicester, warmly urging him to inter with the 
queen, to hinder their execution. In the conclusion of this 
most pathetic epistle, he says, “ I need not appeal to the 
word of God, to the history of the primitive church, and 
to the just judgments of God poured out upon the nations 
for lack of true reformation. Judge ye beiwixt us and 
our encmies. And if we seek the glory of God alone, the 
enjoyment of true christian liberty, the overthrow of all 
idolatry and superstition, and to win souls to Christ; I 
beseech your honour to pity our case, and use your utmost 
endeavours to secure our liberty.”} 

Many of the clergy in both the universities, and in the 
country, but especially in the city of London, refused to 
wear the square cap, the tippet, and the surplice. ‘ And 
it is marvellous,” says Mr. Strype, ‘‘ how much these habits 
were abborred by many honest, well-meaning men; who 
styled them antichristian ceremonies, and by no, means fit 
to be used in a true christian church.” But Archbishop 
Parker and other high commissioners being resolved to 
reduce the church to one uniform order, cited many of the 
clergy before them, admanishing some, and threatening 
others.. Among those wha appeared, were Dr. Sampson, 
dean of Christ-chyrch, Oxford, and Dr. Humphrey, presi- 
dent of. Magdalen college, in the same university. ‘They 
were diyines of great renown throughout the kingdom, for 
learning, piety, and zeal for the reformation, but were 
cast into prison for. nonconformity.| ‘The famous Mr, 
Whitehead, with several others, was cited at the same 


* Sparrow’s Collec. p. 123—128. 

+ Strype’s Parker, p. 15t—16l. 

$ See Art. Whittingham. § Strype’s Parker, p. 151. 

li It-is' proper here to observe, that throughout the Introduction, no 
authority will be given where the sgme things are treated more gt large in 
the body of the work. Therefore, in order to examine the evidence of 
what the author has asserted, as well as a more circumstantial detail of facts, 
the reader, in all such instances, is directed to the respective articles. 


4 INTRODUCTION. 


time, and, refusing to subscribe, was immediately sus- 

ed. Mr. Becon, another celebrated reformer, being 
cited, and refusing to subscribe, was immediately seques- 
tered and deprived. Mr. Allen was cited, and received 
the like censure. Many others were suspended and deprived, 
who, having wives and children, laboured under great 
poverty and want. Being driven from their ministerial 
employment, some, to procure a livelihood, betook them- 
selves to trades, some to husbandry, and some went to sea.* 

The principal reasons of these and other leamed divines 
now refusing conformity, were—1l. Because those things - 
which the prelates required, were unsupported by scripture 
and primitive antiquity.—2. They were not received by 
other reformed churches.—And, 3. They savoured very 
much of the errors and superstitions of popery.t On these 
grounds, they disapproved of some things in the Book of 

ommon Prayer, and forbore the use of the habits and 
ceremonies. 

In the year 1565, the archbishop and his brethren in © 
commission, not content with exercising all their own au- 
thority to its fullest extent, sought the favourable assistance 
of the council, and enforced an exact conformity to the 
ecclesiastical establishment with still greater rigour. ‘They 
convened the London ministers before them ; and when 
they ‘appeared in court, Mr. Robert Cole, a clergyman,t 
being placed by the side of the commissioners in: priestly 
apparel, they were addressed in these words: —‘% My 
masters, and ye ministers of London, the council’s pleasure 
is, that strictly ye keep the unity of apparel, like this man 
who stands here canonically habited with a square cap, a 
scholar’s gown, priest-like, a tippet; and, in the: church, a 
linen surplice. Ye that will subscribe, write Volo, those 
that will not’ subscribe, write Nolo.’ Be brief: make no 
words.” When ‘some’ of the ministers offered to speak, 
they were immediately interrupted with the command, 
« Peace, peace; and apparitor, call over the churches : 
ye masters, answer presently under the penalty of con- 
tempt."s In the conclusion, sixty-one promised confor- 
mity, but éhirty-secen absolutely refused, being, as the 
archbishop acknowledged, the best among them. These 


* Strype’s Grindal, p. 99. + MS. Remarks, p. 161. 

t This Mr, Cole, for his subscription and conformity, was preferred by 
the archbishop to the benefice of Bow and Allhallows, London.—Baker's | 
MS. Collec. vol. xxvii. p. 387. 


§ Strype’s Grindal, p. 96.—Annals, vol. i. p. 463, 


INTRODUCTION. | 25 


were immediately suspended, and told, that if they did 
not conform within three months, they should be deprived 
of all their spiritual promotions.» Among. those who 
received the ecclesiastical censure, was Mr. Crowley, who 
was afterwards deprived and imprisoned. Mr. Brokelsby 
was sequestered, and afterwards deprived, being the first 
who was thus censured for refusing to wear the surplice. 
Dr. Turner, dean of Wells, was sequestered and deprived 
for refusing to wear the surplice, and to use the Book of 
Common Prayer.. The venerable Miles Coverdale was 
.driven from his flock, and obliged to relinquish his benefice. 
In consequence of these proceedings, many of the churches 
in London were shut up, for want of ministers. ‘ This,” 
says the archbishop, “ was no more than he foresaw before he 
began ; and that when the queen put him upon doing what 
he had done, he told her, that these precise folks,” as in 
contempt he calls them, “ would offer their goods and bodies 
to prison, rather than they would-relent.”+ 

otwithstanding these proceedings, the nonconformists 
greatly multiplied, and they were much esteemed and 
countenanced by persons of quality and influence. God 
raised them up many friends in both houses of parliament, 
and in her majesty’s privy council: as, the Earls of Bed- 
ford, Warwick, and Leicester, Sir Francis Knollys, Sir 
William Cecil, and many others. All these. were the 
constant friends of the puritans, and used tlteir power and 
influence to obtain a further reformation.t Though in the 
latter they utterly failed of success, they often protected 
the. persecuted ministers, or procured their release from 
suspension, deprivation, and imprisonment. 

The principal persons for learning and piety, in the. 
university of Cambridge, not. only opposed the above 
severities, but refused conformity. The fellows and scholars 
of St. John’s college, to the number of nearly three hundred, 
threw away their surplices with one consent; and many in 
other colleges followed their example; This, indeed, 
presently roused the zeal of the jealous archbishop. He 
looked upon Cambridge as becoming the very nursery of 
puritanism; and, therefore, to crush the evil in the bud, 
he warmly recommended the chancellor to enforce an exact. 
conformity throughout that fountain of learning. In the 
mean time, the heads of colleges being dissatisfied with 
these proceedings, wrote a pressing letter to the chancellor, 


* Strype’s Parker, p. 211, 215. + Ibid. p. 225. 
} MS. Remarks, p. 117, 193. § Strype’s Annals, vol, i. p. 44]. 


26 — INTRODUCTION. 


wishing him to put a stop to such severe measures. They 
- observe that multitudes of pious and learned men thought 
in their consciences, that the use of the garments was ullerly 
unlawful; and that the imposition of them upon all in the 
university, would compel these worthy persons to forsake 
the place, which would leave the university very destitute. 
Such an imposition of conformity, say they, will prove 
exceedingly detrimental to the preaching of the gospel, as 
well as to good learning.» The chancellor being a man of 
great prudence and circumspection, and loath to give offence 
by using severities, made some demur, with which the 
archbishop was displeased. Those who refused conformity 
reminded the chancellor, that they had cast-away the cere- 
monies, not out of malice, for vain glory, an affection for 
popularity, contempt of laws, or any desire of innovation, 
but out of love to the truth. They could call the Searcher 
of Hearts to witness, that in what they had done, they had 
sought to enjoy peace of conscience, and the true worship 
of God. .They prayed, therefore, that their consciences 
might not be brought into a state of most fmevous bondage 
an exquisjte torment, by being forced to observe the 
ceremonies. 

The proceedings of the prelates in censuring so many 
ministers of high reputation, was very afflictive to the 
foreign reformed churches. Therefore the famous Beza 
wrote a. letter this year to Bishop Grindal, exposing the 
evils attending the imposition of conformity. He observes, 
that “ if they do offend, who choose to leave their churches, 
rather than conform to rites and vestments against their 
consciences; a greater guilt is contracted by éhose who 
choose to spoil these flocks of able pastors, rather than suffer 
those pastors to make choice of their own apparel; or, 
choose to rob the people of the food of their souls, rather 
than suffer them to receive it otherwise than on their knees.’’t 
He observes also, that this intended conformity designed 
“ to admit again, not only those garments which are the 
signs of Baal’s priests, but also certain rites, which are 
degenerated into the worst of superstitions: as the signing 
with the cross; kneeling at the communion, and-such like.’ 

The church of Scotland wrote, at the same time, a most 


* Among those who subscribed this letter was even Dr. John Whitgift, 
afterwards the celebrated archbishop. This man was now a zealous friend 
of the nonconformists ; but soon after as zealous a persecutor of them. 
—Strype’s Parker, p. 194. + Ibid. p. 192, 194, 196. 

{ Heylin’s Hist. of Pres. p. 39. § Strype’s Grindal, p. 113. 


INTRODUCTION. © St 


affectionate and pressing letter to the bishops and pastors of 
England, exposing the evil of persecution, and recom- 
mending peace among brethren. “‘ We understand,” say 
they, “ that divers of our dearest brethren, among whom 
are some of the .best learned in the realm, are deprived 
from the ecclesiastical function, and forbidden to preach, 
because their consciences will not suffer them to use such 
garments as idolaters in time. of blindness, have used in 
their idolatry. We crave in the bowels of Jesus Christ, 
that christian charity may prevail among you. Ye camot 
be ignorant how tender a thing the conscience of man is. 
if then the surplice, corner cap, and tippet, have been 
badges of idolatry, and used in the very act of idolatry, 
what hath the preacher of christian liberty, and the open 
rebuker of all superstition, to do with the dregs of that 
Romish beast ? Our brethren who of conscience refuse that 
unprofitable apparel, do neither condemn, nor molest you, 
who use such vain trifles. If you should do the like to 
them, we doubt not that you will please God, and comfort 
the hearts of many, which are wounded by the present 
extremities. Our humble supplication is, that our brethren 
among you, who refuse the Romish rags, may find such 
favour. of you prelates, as your Head and Master com- 
mandeth every one of his members to shew to all others. 
We expect to receive your gentleness, not only because 
you fear to offend God’s majesty, by troubling your 
brethren with such vain trifles; but also because you will 
not refuse the humble request of us your brethren and fellow- 
preachers of Jesus Christ. We suppose you will esteem us 
to be of the number of those, who fight against the Romish 
antichrist, and travel for the advancement of the universal 
kingdom of Jesus Christ; before whom, we, and you, and 
your brethren, must soon give an account.’’# 

Many ~of the puritans having, for the sake of peace, 
conformed as far as they possibly could, at length endea- 
voured, though under great discouragements, to obtain an 
accommodation. But the prelates proceeding with still 
greater severity against all who could not come up to the 
standard of conformity, made it too evidently appear, that 
they sought not their conformity, but their utter extir- 


* This letter, dated Edinburg, Dec. 27, 1566, is entitled ‘‘ The ministers 
and elders of the churches within the realme of Scotlande, to their brethren 
the bishops &and pastours of Englande, who have renounced the Romane 
antichrist, and doe professe with them the Lord Jesus in sinceritie, desireth 
the perpetuall increase of the Holy Spirit.”— Parte of a Register, p. 128 
~—127, 


28 INTRODUCTION. 


pation. Having made application to certain persons of 
distinguished eminence, the business was laid before the 

rliament ; and during this year, six bills were brought 
into the house of commons, to promote a further reformation 
of the church. They were warmly supported by many 
eminent statesmen, and one of them passed the house ; ‘but 
coming up to the lords, it met with some opposition ; and 
by ihe superior power and influence of the bishops, it was 
cast out.* 

Through the heavy oppressions of the prelates, many of 
the puritans, both ministers and others, withdrew from the 
national church, and set up their separate assemblies. They 
laid aside the ecclesiastical ceremonies and the Book of 
Common Prayer, and worshipped God in a way which to 
them appeared more agreeable to the word of God. The 
reason assigned for their separation was, ‘that the ceremo- 
nies of antichrist were so tied to the service of God, that 
no one might preach, or administer the sacraments without 
them, being compelled to observe these things by law.” If 
the use of the habits and certain ceremonies had been left 
discretionary, both ministers and people would no doubt 
have been easy. This being denicd, they entered into a 
serious consultation, when they came to this conclusion : 
“ That, since they could net have the word of God 
preached, nor the sacraments administered, without zdola- 
trous gear; and since there had been a separate congre- 
gation in London, and another at Geneva, in Queen Mary's 
time, which used a book and order of preaching, adminis- 
tration of the sacraments and discipline, which the great 
Mr. Calvin approved of, and which was freed from the 
superstitions ot the English service y that therefore it was 
their duty in their present circumstances, to break off from 
the public churches, and to assemble as they had opportu- 
_ nity in priyate houses, or elscwhere, to worship God in a 
manner that might not offend their consciences.”+ This 
was about the year 1566, and was the zra of that Sepa- 
RATION from the church of England which continues to 
this day. | 

The Chief leaders of the separation were Messrs. Cole- 
man, Button, Halingham, Benson, and Hawkins, all, ac- 
cording to Fuller, active and zealous nonconformists, 
beneficed within the diocese of London. Notwithstanding 


* MS. Remarks, p. 4638. 
+ Parte of a Register, p. 25.—Strype’s Parker, p. 242, 242. 
~ Fuller’s Church Hist. b. ix. p. 81. 


INTRODUCTION. | 29 


the threatenings and severities of the prelates, they continued 
to meet in their private assemblies, as they found oppor- 
tunity; and oftentimes assembled in the fields and the 
woods in the neighbourhood of London, to avoid the disco- 
very of their watchful enemies.* But they ventured at 
h to appear more openly; and June 19, 1567, havin 
. agreed to havea sermon ‘and the ‘Lord’s supper at PI umbens. 
hall in the city, they hired the place, as some one intimated, 
under pretence of a wedding. Here, the sheriffs and other 
officers discovered them, and broke up their meeting, when 
about one hundred were assembled; most of whom were 
taken into custody, and sent to Bridewell, the Compter, 
and other prisons. Having remained in prison nearly two 
years, and their patience and constancy being sufficiently 
tried, twenty-four men and seven women were released by 
an‘order from the council.+ | 

The puritans of these times had many objections against 
the established church. They complained of the assumed 
superiority of bishops above presbyters.—They excepted 
against the numerous, pompous titles of ecclesiastical 
officers.—They complained of the exorbitant power and 
jurisdiction of the prelates.—They lamented the want of 
godly discipline.—They disliked some things in the public 

iturgy : as, the frequent repetition of the Lord’s prayer, 
the responses, some things in the oflice of marriage, the 
burial of the dead, &c.—They disliked the reading of the 
apocryphal books, to the exclusion of some parts of ca- 
nonical scripture.—They disallowed of the cathedral mode 
of worship.—Thcey disapproved of the church festivals or 
holidays, as having no foundation in scripture.—They dis- 
approved of pluralities, nonresidence, and lay patrons.— 
And they scrupled contormity to certain rites and ceremo- 
nies: as, the cross in baptism; the promises and vows; the 
use of sponsors, to the exclusion of parents; the custom of 
confirming children ; kneeling at the Lord’s supper ; bow= 
ing at the name of Jesus; the ring in marriage; and the 
wearing of the surplice, with other ceremonies equally 
without foundation in scripture. 

During the above year, the puritans felt the oppressions 
of the ruling ecclesiastics. Mr. Evans was convened before 
them and prosecuted, for keeping conventicles. Mr. Law- 
rence, a Suffolk divine of great eminence, was suspended 
for nonconformity; and Dr. Hardyman suffered deprivation. 


* Heylin’s Hist. of Pres. p. 259. + Strype’s Grindal, p. 136. 
> Neal's Puritans, vol. i. p. 209—213. 


! 


30 INTRODUCTION. 


Mr. Stroud, minister of Yalding, in Kent, was cast into 
prison, excommunicated, deprived of his ministry, reduced 
to extreme poverty, and obliged to enter upon the employ- 
ment of correcting the press for his support. Other puri- 
tans, denominated peaceable nonconformists, obtained for 
some time a connivance or toleration. ‘These were Drs. 
Sampson, Humphrey, Wyburn, Penny and Coverdale, 
with Messrs. Fox, Lever, and Johnson.* 

About the year 1570, other oppressions were inflicted 
upon certain London ministers: Mr.Crane and Mr. Bonham 
were both silenced and cast into prison for nonconformity. 
The former was afterwards for the same crime committed to 
Newgate; where, after languishing a long time under the. 
hardships of the prison, he was delivered by death from 
all his afflictions. Mr. Axton, an excellent divine, for 
refusing the apparel, the cross in baptism, and kneeling at 
the Lord’s supper, was convened before the Bishop of 
Lichfield and Coventry, and, after a long examination, was 
deprived and driven to seek his bread in a foreign land. 
The celebrated Mr. Cartwright, of Cambridge, was cited 
before Dr. Whitgift and others, when he was deprived of 
his public ministry, expelled from the university, and forced 
to depart out of the kingdom. Innumerable,. indeed, were 
the hardships under which the puritans groaned. By the 
rigorous proceedings of the ruling prelates, the church was 
deprived of many of its brightest ornaments; and nearly all 
its faithful pastors were ejected ; especially in Northampton- 
shire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Norfolk, and Suffolk.+ 
While these ravages were made upon the church of Christ, 
several thousands of ministers of inferior character, such as 
common swearers, drunkards, gamesters, whoremongers, 
and massing priests, only because they were conformable, 
continued in their offices, enjoyed their livings, and ob- 
tained prefennent. Mast of the bishops havmg endured 
persecution and banishment in the days of Queen Mary, 
‘and being now exalted by promotion, honour, and wealth, 
forgot their former condition, and persecuted their brethren 
of the same faith, who could not come up to the standard of 
confonnity.} ; 

At this period, there was considerable variety in the kind 
of bread used in the Lord's supper: some ministers, in 
confornnity to the papists and the queen’s injunctions, used 
the wafer bread ; but others, in conformity to scripture 


® Strype's Parker, p. 24% + MS. Register, p. 147. 
3 Parte of a Register, p. 2-9. 


INTRODUCTION. 31 


‘and the convictions of their own minds, renounced the 
popish relict, and used the loaf bread. ‘This gave great 
' offence and much trouble to Archbishop Parker, who, with 
the assistance of Bishop Grindal, laboured much to bring all _ 
the clergy to an exact uniformity.* 

The above proceedings having excited considerable alarm 
in the nation, some attempts were made in the parliament 
of 1571, to obtain a reformation of the ecclesiastical laws. 
The motion was warmly supported by some of the ablest 
statesmen ; but was no sooner become the subject of public 
discussion, than the queen took great offence, and forbad 
the house to concern itself about such matters.t The 
commons ventured, however, to present a supplication to 
her majesty, in which they observe, that for want of true 
ecclesiastical discipline, there were great numbers of minis- 
ters of. infamous lives, while those possessed of abilities for 
the sacred function were cast aside as useless. ‘They com- 
plain of the great increase of popery, atheism and licen- 
tiousness, by which the protestant religion was in imminent 
danger. ‘‘ And,” say they, ‘ being moved with pity 
towards so many thousands of your majesty’s subjects, daily 
in danger of being lost-for want of the tood of the word, 
and true discipline; we, the commons in this present 
parliament assembled, are humbly bold fo open the griefs, | 
and to seek the salving of the sores of our country ; and to 
beseech your majesty, seeing the same is of so great import- 
ance, that the parliament at .this time may be so long 
continued, as that by good and godly laws, provision may 
be made for a reformation of these great and grievous wants _ 
and abuses, and by such other means as to your majesty 
shall seen. meet, a perfect redress of the same may he 

‘obtained; by which the number of your majesty’s faithful 

- subjects will be increased, popery will be destroyed, the 
glory of God will be promoted, and your majesty’s renown 
will be recommended to all posterity.”+ But the queen 
broke up the parliament without taking the least notice of 
the supplication. ; 

These proceedings occasioned an act to pass during this 
parliament, requiring all ministers “ to declare their assent 
‘to ali the articles of religion, which only concern the 
confession of the true christian faith, and the doctrine of 
the sacraments.” ‘This was a great alleviation to the non- 
' * Strype’s Parker, p. 308—310. 


+ D. Ewes’s Journal, p. 157, 185.—Strype’s Parker, p. 324. 
_t MS, Register, p. 92, 93, 


32 INTRODUCTION, 


conformists, when they all readily subscribed. But the 
bishops and clergy in convocation had the confidence, at 
the same time, to make new canons of discipline, by which 
they greatly increased the burdens of the puritans. They 
required subscription to adi the articles, even those relating 
to the rites, ceremonies, order and policy of the church, 
as well as others, contrary to the above statute. The. 
bishops called in all their licenses to preach, forbidding 
all ministers to preach without new ones. Most of the 
nonconformists claiming the’ liberty allowed them by the 
laws of the land, refused the canonical subscription, as a 
most grievous usurpation over their consciences ; for which 
great numbers were turned out of their livings.« This led 
them to preach in other churches, or in privaté houses, 
without license, as they were able to procure an opportunity. 
But the queen hearing of this, immediately commanded 
the archbishop and other ecclesiastical commissioners not 
to suffer any minister to read, pray, preach, or administer 
either of the sacraments, in any church, chapel, or private 
place, without a license from her majesty, the archbishop, 
or the bishop of the diocese. + 

g These tyrannical measures, instead of bringing the puri- — 
tans nearer the standard of conformity, drove them farther 
from the church. They could not with a good conscience, 
‘ observe the new ecclesiastical impositions; and, therefore, 
the chief among them were cited to appear at Lambeth; ¢ 
among whom were Drs.Sampson and W yburn, and Messrs. 
Goodman, Lever, Walker, Goff, Deering, Field, Brown, 
and Johnson. These divines were ready to subscribe to 
the doctrines of faith and the sacraments, according to law, 
but excused themselves from doing more. Goodman was 
suspended, and constrained to sign a recantation. Lever 
quietly resigned his prebend in the church of Durham. 

ring was long molested and suspended. Johnson suffered 
similar treatment. Dr. Willoughby was deprived for re- 
fusing the above canonical subscription. Mr. Gilby and 
Mr. Whittingham endured many troubles for their non- 
conformity. 

These proceedings opened the eyes of the people; and 
the parliament in 1572, warmly espoused the cause of the 
distressed ministers. The queen and bishops having most 
shamefully abused their pretended spiritual power, twe 
bills were brought into the house, in one of which the 


* MS. Chronology, vol. i. p. 135. (1—2) 
+ Strype’s Parker, p. 324,825. Ibid, p.326. § Ibid, p. 872. 


INTRODUCTION. 33 


hardships under which the puritans groaned, were intended 
to be redressed.» The bills passed smoothly through the 
commons, and were referred to a committee of both houses ; 
which so alarmed the bishops, and gave such offence to the 
ueen, that, two days after, she acquainted the commons, 
that it was her royal pleasure, that no bill relating to religion 
should henceforth be introduced into that house, till after 
the same had been considered and approved by the clergy ; 
and she commanded the house to deliver up thé two bills 
last read, touching rites and ceremonies.t ith this h 
stretch of her majesty's prerogative, the commons quietly 
and tamely complied, and their efforts came to nothing. 

In the mean time, the bishops stuck close to the canonical 
discipline ; enforced conformity with the utmost rigour; 
and, according to the computation of Mr. Strype,+ there 
were at least one hundred ministers deprived this year, for 
refasing subscription. The university of Cambridge was, 
indeed, become a nest of puritans. . Browning and Mr. 
Brown, both fellows of Trinity college, were convened 
before the heads, and cast into prison for nonconformity. 
Mr. Clarke, fellow of Peter-house, and Mr. Millain, fellow 
of Christ’s college, were expelled from their colleges, and 
banished from the university. But these severe proceedin 
had not the effect intended : for, instead of crushing the 
nonconformists, the more they were persecuted, the more 
they multiplied. 

he. puritans having in vain sought for a reformation 
from the queen and the bishops, resolved to apply to the 
parliament, and stand by the constitution. They published 
a treatise, presenti eir grievances in one view. It was 
compiled by Mr. Field, assisted by Mr. Wilcocks, and 
revised by others. The work was entitled “ An Admonition 
to the Parliament ;” to which were annexed, Beza’s letter 
to the Earl of Leicester, and Gaulter’s to Bishop Parkhurst, 
upon the reformation of church discipline. It contains 
a platform of the church; the manners of electing ministers ; 
with their several duties, and their equality in government. 

* Strype’s Parker, p. 394. 

+ D. Ewes’s Journal, p. 207.—Strype’s Annals, vol. ii. p. 125. 

Strype’s Annals, vol. ii. p. 187. 

Ia opposition to the above facts, Bishop Maddox insinuates that great 
favour and indulgence were shewn to the puritans, during this year; and 
refers to the words of Mr. Strype, saying, “‘ That they were as gently 
treated as might be; no kind of brotherly persuasion omitted towards 
them; and most of them as yet kept their livings; though one or two were 
displaced.” What degree of trath is contained in this statement, every one 
will ensily judge.—Maddox’s Vindication, p. 173. 

VOL. I. D 


34 INTRODUCTION. 


It then exposes with some degree of sharpness the corrup- 
tions of the church, and the proceedings of the bishops. 
The admonition then concludes, by petitioning the houses, 
that discipline, more consonant to the word of God, and 
more agreeable to other reformed churches, may be esta- 
blished by law. Mr. Field and Mr. Wilcocks presented it 
themselves to the house, for which they were apprehended, 
and sent to Newgate, where they remained in close and 
miserable confinement at least months. While the 
authors were thus prosecuted, the book spread abroad, and 
soon passed through several editions.* . 
The leading puritans having presented their numerous 
petitions to the queen, the bishops, and the parliament, to 
ittle or no purpose, agreed to attempt to promote the desired 
reformation in a more private way. For this Purpose, they 
erected a presbytery at Wandsworth, near London. The 
members of this association were Messrs. Smith, Crane, 
Field, Wilcocks, Standen, Jackson, Bonham, Saintloc, 
and Edmunds ; to whom were afterwards joined Messrs. 
Travers, Clarke, Barber, Gardiner, Cheston, Crook, Egerton, 
and a number of respectable laymen. Eleven elders were 
chosen, and their offices described in a register, entitled 
«¢ The Orders of Wandsworth.” This was the first presby- — 
terian church in England. Notwithstanding that all ima- 
ginable care was taken to keep their. proceedings secret, the 
ishops’ eyes were upon them, who gave immediate intelli- 
ce to the high commission; upon which the queen issued 
er royal proclamation for a more exact observance of the 
act of uniformity. And though the bishops knew of the 
presbytery, they could not discover its members, nor prevent 
others from being erected in other parts of the kingdom.+ 
While multitudes of the best preachers were utterly 
silenced, the church of England stood in the greatest need 
of their zealous and faithful labours. It was, indeed, in a 
most deplorable condition. The conformable clergy ob- 
tained all the benefices in their power, and resided upon 
none, utterly neglecting their cures: many of them alienated 
the church lands, made unreasonable Teases, wasted the 
wood upon the lands, and granted reversions and advowsons 
for their own advantage. The churches fell greatly into 
decny, and became unfit for divine service. Among the 
laity there was very little devotion; and the Lord’s day was 


* For a circumstantial accouat of the controversy excited by the pebli- 
cation of the ‘“ Admonition,” see Art. Themas Cartwright. 
+ Faller’s Church Hist. b. ix. p- 103.—Neal’s Puritans, val. i. p. 266. . 


INTRODUCTION. 35 


generally profaned. Many were mere heathens, epicu 
or atheists, especially those about the court; and 
men feared that some sore judgment hung over the nation.» 

In the year 1573, the queen issued her royal proclama- 
tion, “ strictly commanding all archbishops and bishops, all 
Justices of assizes, and all others having authority, to put in 
execution the act of uniformity of common prayer, with all 
diligence and severity, neither favouring, nor dissembling 
with any one person, who doth neglect, despise, or seek to 
alter the godly orders and rites set forth in the said book.” 
The proclamation requires further, ‘that all who shall be 
found nonconformable in the smallest matter, shall be imme- 
diately apprehended and cast into prison; all who shall 
forbear coming to the common prayer, and receiving the 
sacraments, according to the said book, shall be immediately 

resented and punished ; and all who shall either in private 

ouses, or in public assemblies, use any other rites of com- 
mon prayer and administration of sacraments, or shall 
maintain in their houses any persons guilty of these things, 
shall be punished with the utmost severity.”+ This, from 
the supreme governor of the church, inspired the zealous 
prelates with new life and courage. They enforced sub- ° 
scription upon the clergy with great rigour. ‘Though the 
forms of subscription varied in different dioceses, that which 
was most commonly imposed was the following: “TI ac- 
<< knowledge the book of articles agreed upon by the clergy 
“in the synod of 1563, and confirmed by the queen’s 
‘‘ majesty, to be sound and according to the word of God.— 
«¢ That the queen’s majesty is the chief governor, next under 
“ Christ, of this church of England, as well in ecclestastical 
< as civil causes.—That in the Book of Common Prayer, 
“ there is nothing evil or repugnant to the word of God, but 
“that it may well be used in this our christian church of 
«© England.—And that as the public preaching of the word 
“in this church of: England is sound and sincere, so the 
“ public order in the ministration of the sacraments is con- 
S¢ sonant to the word of God.”’} 

Upon the rigorous imposition of these forms, many minis- 
ters not being able with a good conscience to comply, were 
brought into great trouble. Messrs. Deering and Cartwright, 
together with Dr. Sampson and other excellent divines, 
endured much cruel usage for nonconformity.$ Dr. 
Wyburn, and Messrs. Brown, Johnson, Field, Wilcocks, 

* Strype’s Parker, p. 395. + Sparrow’s Collec. p. 169, 170. 

$ Parte of a Register, p.81.' § Strype’s Annals, vol. ii. p. 265—282. 


36 INTRODUCTION. 


Sparrow, and King, were deprived of their livings, and four 
thems committed’ to Newest They were told, that if 
they did not comply in a short time, should be 
banished, though there was no law in existence to inflict 
any such pun t.» Mr. Johnson, who was fellow of 
King’s college, Cambridge, and domestic chaplain to the 
Lord Keeper Bacon, was tried at Westminster-hall for 
nonconformity, and sent to the Gatehouse, where, through 
his cruel imprisonment, he soon after died. Several others, 
cast into prison at the same time, died under the pressures 
of their confinement. Mr. Bonham, Mr. Standen and Mr. 
Fenn, were committed to prison, where they ined a 
time. Mr. Wake, rector of Great Billing Mr. Paget, 
minister of Oundle; Mr. Mosely, minister of i : 
Mr. Gilderd, minister of Collingtree; and Mr. Dawson, 
minister of Weston-Favell, all in the diocese of Peter- 
borough, were first suspended for three weeks, and then 
deprived of their livings. They were all useful preachers. 
Four of them were licensed by the university, as learned and 
religious «divines, and three had been moderators jn the 
religious exercises. Mr. Lowth, minister of Carlisle, was 
rosecuted in the high commission at York; while Mr. 
dervon and Dr. Crick, two learned and useful divines in 
Norfolk, fell into the hands of the high commissioners in 
the south, when the latter was deprived of his preferment. 
Many others in the diocese of Norwich refusing conformity, 
were prosecuted in the ecclesiastical courts.+ And Mr. 
Aldrich, with many others in the university of Cambridge, 
received much unchristian usage from the governing eccle- 
siastics. At the same time, John Townley, esq. a layman, 
Was committed to prison for nonconformity, when Dean 
Nowell, his near kinsman, presented a petition to the presi- 
dent of the north and the Archbishop of York, for his 
release.} 

The year 1574 was memorable for the suppression of the 
religious exercises, called prophesyings. Some of the 
bishops being persuaded of the usefulness of these exercises, 
discovered their unwillingness to put them down. i 
gave great offence to the queen, who addressed a letter to all 

bishops in England, peremptorily commanding them to 
suppress them in their respective dioceses. Her majesty in 
this discovered a most despotic and tyrannical spint. Al 
the bishops and clergy in the nation must bow to her 


* Strype’s Parker, p. 412, 413. t Ibid. p. 451, 452. 
t Baker's MS. Caltec. vel. xxi. p. $82. wn 


INTRODUCTION. 37 


sovereign pleasure.* This was the royal lady who renounced 
the infallibility of the Pope of Rome. In these exercises, 
the clergy were divided into classes, and each class was 
under the direction of a moderator appointed by the bishop 
of the diocese. They were held once a fortnight, when a 
rtion of scripture formed the subject of discussion. 
hey were holden publicly in the churches; and besides 
ing the errors of popery, they were of unspeakable 
service in promoting a knowledge of the scriptures among 
the people. But the jealous archbishop looked upon them 
as the nurseries of Puritanism, calling them vain prophe- 
syings.t They tended, in his opinion, to promote popu- 
larity, insubordination, and nonconformity. But the arch- 
bishop did not long survive. For he died May 17, 1575; 
when he was succeeded by Dr. Edmund Grindal, Arch- 
bishop of York. He was a prelate of rigid and cruel 
principles, and’ much concemed to estab an exact 
uniformity in outward things, to the neglect of more 
important matters.t © Dutch baptist 
uring this year, a congregation o tch anabaptists 
was discovered. without Aldgate, London; twenty-seven 
of whom were apprehended and cast into prison, and four 
bearing fagots at Paul’s cross, recanted their opinions. 
Eight were banished from the kingdom, and two were con- 
demned to the flames, and burnt in Smithfield. The Dutch 
congregation in London interceded for their pardon, as did 
Mr. Fox, the martyrologist; but the quecn remained in- 
flexible, and the two poor men perfumed Smithfield with 
their ashes.§ 

The puritans, under all their hardships, had many able 
friends at court, who stood firm in the cause of religious 
' liberty. Therefore a committee was this year appointed 
by parliament to draw up a bill “ For the Reformation of 
Church Discipline.” But, as before, the house most 
probably received a check for attempting to interfere in 
religious matters.| 
In the year 1576, many learned divines felt the vengeance 
of the ruling prclates. Mr. Harvy and Mr. Gawton, in 


* Strype’s Grindal, Appen. p. 85, 86. + Strype’s Parker, p. 461. 
- } Though a late writer affirms that Archbishop Parker ‘‘ was prudent, 
gentle, and patient ;’’ Hume says ‘‘ he was rigid in exacting conformity to 
the established worship, and in punishing, by fines or deprivation, all the 
ptritanical clergymen, who attempted to innovate any thing in the habits, 
ceremonies, or liturgy of the charch.”’—Churton's Life of Nowell, p. 113. 
—FTume’s Hist. of Eng. vol.v. p. 188. 

§ See Art. Fox. |} MS. Remarks, p. 463. 


38 INTRODUCTION. 


auldition to many other traubles, were both suspended for 
nonconfurmity. As the storm approached, the ministers of 
Norfolk prepared for it, by presenting their humble sup- 
plication to the council, in which they express themselves 
as follows :—** As touching your leiters wherein you say, 
that her majesty is fully “bent to remove all those, who 
cannot be persuaded to conform themselves to all orders 
established, it grieveth our souls very much, considering 
what desolation is likely to come upon the poor flock of 
Christ, by being thus bereaved of many excellent 

who dare not yield to that conformity. Yet knowing that 
the hearts of princes are in the hands of God, we commit 
our cause, being God’s own cause, unto. him, waiting for 
# happy issuc at his hands. In the mean time, we pour 
out our prayers before the throne of his mercy, to direct 
her mayeuly to promote his glory, lamenting our sins, and 
the sins of the land, as the reason of our prince being set 
against 60 golly a cause. 

“As for outselves, though we are willing ‘to yield our 
bodies, goods, and lives to our savereign prince, we dare 
not yield to this conformity, for fear of that terrible threat 
ening of the Lord Jesus: * Whosoever shall offend one of 
these little ones, it were better for him that a mill-stone were 
hanged about his neck, and that he were cast into the 
depth of the sea.’ And though we have ever so much 
knowledge of christian liberty, we dare not cayse our weak 


brother to perish, for whom Christ died, For in sinning 


agninst them, and wounding their consciences, we sin 
against Christ. We conclude with the apostle, ‘ Where- 
fare if meat (so we say of ceremonies) make my brother 
to offend, J will cat na flesh while the world standeth, lest 
I make my brother to offend.’ Therefore we dare not yield 
to these ceremonies, because, so far from edifying and 
building up the church, they have rent it asunder, and 
forn it in pieces, to its great misery and ruin, as God 
knoweth; and unless some mitigation be granted, still 
greater misery and ruin will follow, by stopping the 
mouths of the servants of God. . 
* Although her majesty be incensed against us, as if we 
would obey na laws, we take the Lord of heaven and earth 
to witness, that we acknowledge, from the bottom of our 
hearts, her majesty to be our lawful queen, placed over us 
by God for our good: and we give God our most humble 
and hearty thanks for her happy government; and, both 
in public and private, we constantly pray for her prosperity. 


INTRODUCTION. 39. 


We renounce all foreign power, and acknowledge her 
majesty’s supremacy to be lawful and just. We detest all 
error and heresy. Yet we desire that ‘her majesty will not 
think us disobedient, seeing we suffer ourselves to be dis- 
‘placed, rather than yield to some things required. Our 
bodies, and goods, and all we have, are in her majesty’s 
hands; only our souls we reserve to our God, who alone is 
able to save us or condemn us. 

“ We humbly crave,” say they, “that you will deal 
with her majesty, in our behalf. Let her majesty under- 
stand, that all laws commanding things which edify not, 
but are offensive, are contrary to the word of God. Let 
her further understand how dangerous a thing it is, to urge 
the observance of human ceremonies with ter severity, 
than the observance of the law of God. The word of God 
is in danger of being made of no effect, by the traditions 
‘Of men. Though, in scripture, ministers are commanded 
to preach the word of this is now not half so strictly 
examined and enforced, as the observance of the ceremonies. 
a Brough the whole land it is manifest, that a minister who 
is conformable to the ceremonies, may continue on his 
charge undisturbed, though he cannat teach: so if he be 
ever so able to teach as God hath commanded, yet if he 
cannot conform to those ceremonies which men have devised 
and appointed, he must not continue in the ministry. This 
must needs be preferring the ordinance of man before the 
word of God.”* 

This supplication proving ineffectual, Messrs. John More, 
Richard Crick, George Leeds, Thomas Roberts; Vincent 
Goodwin, Richard Dowe, and John Mapes, all ministers 
im or near the city of Norwich, were suspended.+ ‘Mr. 
Thickpenny, a minister of good learning, and much be- 
Joved by his parishioners, was suspended for nonconformity. 
Mr. Greenham, a divine of a most excellent spirit, received 
the like treatment, because he could not in conscience sub- 
scribe and wear the habits, though he cautiously avoided 
speaking against them, lest he should give offence. Mr. 
Rockrey, a divine of great eminence at Cambridge, was 
twice expelled from the university for a similar offence. Mr. 
Field and Mr. Wilcocks having already suffered a long 
and painful imprisonment, were brought into fresh troubles. 
They were convened before Bishop Aylmer, who pro-_ 
nounced Mr, Field obstinate, for having taught children in 


* MS. Register, p. 253—256. - Ibid. p. 285. 


INTRODUCTION. 


40 

emens’-houses, contrary to the prohibition of the arch- 
ishop. Aylmer recommended, as their punishment, that 
they both be sent into the most barbarous parts 


of the country, where they might be profitably enployed 


m ing the le from the errors of popery. Mr. 
Whittingkam, dean of Durham, a divine of distinguished 
eminence, was exercised with many troubles, which con- 
tinued to the day of his death. 

In the year 1579, Mr. Lawrence, already mentioned, 
was suspended by his diocesan. Though r mterces- 
sions were made for him, particularly by the lord treasurer, 
the bishop peremptorily refused to restore him, without a 

rfect conformity to all the rites and ceremonies. Mr, 

erbury underwent a long examination before the high 
commission, when he was treated with much foul, abusive 
- Bishop Aylmer, seldom sparing in bitter m- 
vectives, called him “a very ass, an idiot, and a fool.” 
He was then sent to the Marshalsea, where he remained a 
prisoner several years. Aylmer, indeed, was not behind 
any of his brethren in the persecution of the puritans. 

This prelate, to enforce a due observance of the ecclesias- 
tical orders, cited the London ministers before him no leas 
than five times in one year. On these occasions, he made 
inquisition whether they truly and faithfully observed all 
things contained in the Book of Common Prayer; whether 
any preached without a license; and whether any 
private conventicles. In the visitation of his diocese, he 
inquired of ministers, churchwardens, and sworn-men, in 
every parish, whether there were any persons who refused 
to conform, to attend the church, or to receive the commu- 
nion; and for what cause they refused. He required all 
ministers to wear the surplice, to keep to the exaet order 
of public service, and to observe all the ceremonies without 
the slightest alteration. His lordship had no mercy on 
such as did not comply in every punctilio; and warmly 
declared, that he would surely and severely punish offenders, 
or, “ I will lie,” said he, “in the dust for. it.”# 

. This prelate had very little compassion in his nature, 
and apparently as ‘little regard for the laws of the country, 
or the cries of the people for the word of God. There 
was a great scarcity of preachers in all parts of England; 
and even the city of London was now in a most lamentable 
state, as appears from their petition to parliament, in which. 


* Strype’s Aylmer, p. 64, 65, 81-~83. 


are these words :—‘ There are in this city a great number 
of churches, but the one-half of them at the least are 
unfurnished of preaching ministers, are pestered wi 
candlesticks not of olde bat of clay, with watchmen that 
have no eyes, and clouds that have no water: the other 
half, partly by means of nonresidents, which are very 
many ; partly thr the poverty of many meanly 
qualified, there is scarcely the texth man that makes con- 
science to wait u his charge, whereby the Lord’s 


on our beseech this honourable assembly, in the 
umble 


suitors to her majesty, that we may have guides; that the 
bread of life may be brought home to us; that the pipes of 
water may be brought into our assemblies; that there may 
be food and refreshing for us, our poor wives and forlora 
quildren : 80 shall the Lord have his due honour’ you 1 shall 

ischarge good duty to her majesty; many languishing 
souls shall be comfprted : atheism and heresy banished ; 
her majesty have more faithful subjects; and you more 
hearty prayers for your prosperity in this life, and full 
happiness in the life to come.”’* 

In the county of Cornwall there were one hundred and 
forty clerrymen, scarcely any of whom could preach a 
sermon, and most of them were pluralists and nonresidents. 
The inhabitants of the county, in their supplication to the 
parliament, gave the following ing description of their 
case :—“ We have about one hundred and sixty churches, 
the greatest part of which are supplied by men who are 
guilty of the sins; some fornicators, some adulterera, 
some felons, bearing the marks in their hands.for the said 
offence; some drunkards, gamesters on the sabbath-day, 
&c. We have many nonresidents, who preach but once 
a quarter; so that between meal and meal the silly sheep 
may starve. We have some ministers who labour painfully 
and faithfully in the Lord’s husbandry; but they are not 
suffered to attend their callings, because the mouths of 
papists, infidels, and filthy livers, are open against them, 
and the ears of those who are called lords over them, are 
sooner open to their accusations, though it be only for 
ceremonies, than to the others’ answers. Nor is it safe for 


* MS. Register, p. 302. 


42 INTRODUCTION. 


us to hear them ; for though our own fountains are dried ups 
yet if we seek for the waters of life elsewhere, we are cited 
into the spiritual courts, reviled, and threatened with ex- 
communication.”* ‘The ground of this scarcity was the 
violence of the high commission, and the narrow terms of 
conformity. Most of the old incumbents, says Dr. Keltridge, 
were disguised papists, more fit to sport with the timbrel 
and pipe, than to take into their hands the book of God.+ 

The common topic of conversation now was the Queen's 
matriage with the Duke of Anjou, a notorious papist.¢ 
All true protestants were displeased and under alarming 
apprehensions. ‘The puritans in general protested against 

e match, dreading the consequence of having a protestant 
body, under a popish head. Mr. John Stubbs, a student 
of Lincoln’s-inn, and a gentleman of excellent abilities, 
published a book, entitled “ The Discoverie of the Gaping 
Gulph, whereinto England is like to be swallowed by 
another French marriage, if the Lord forbid not the banns, 
by letting her Majestie see the sin and punishment thereof.” 
It no sooner came forth, than the queen issued her procla- 
mation to suppress the book, and apprehend the author and 

rinter. Stubbs the author, Singleton the printer, and 
the disperser, were apprehended, and sentenced to - 
have their right hands cut off. Singleton was pardoned, 
but Stubbs and Page were brought to a scaffold erected at 
Westminster; where, with terrible formality, their right 
hands were cut off, by driving a cleaver throngh the wrist 
with a mallet; but as soon as Stubbe's right hand was cut 
off, he pulled off his hat with his left, and, to the great 
amazement of the spectators, exclaimed God save the 
Queen. He was then sent to the Tower, where he re- 
mained a long time; but afterwards proved himself a loyal 
subject, and a valiant and faithful commander in the wars 
in Ireland. 

Many of the puritans being dissatisfied with the terms of 
conformity, and the episcopal ordination of the church of 
England, went to Antwerp and other places, where they 
received ordination according to the practice of the forei 
reformed churches. Among these were Messrs. Cartwright, 
Fenner, Ashton, ‘l'ravers, and Wright. The last, upon 
his return, became domestic chaplain to Lord Rich; but 
for saying, that “to keep the queen’s birth-day as an 


* MS. Register, p. $00. + Strype’s Aylmer, p. 92. 
Strype’s Annals, vol. ii. p. 566. 
Kennet’s Hist, of Eng. vol. ii. p. 487. 


INTRODUCTION. — 4$ 


holiday, was to make her an idol,” Bishop Aylmer com- 
mitted him to the Fleet. Lord Rich, for attempting ta 
vindicate him, was at the same time sent to the Marshal- 
sea, and Mr. Dix to the Gatehouse.» Mr. Morley, a 
Norfolk minister, and Mr, Handson, preacher at Bury St. 
Edmunds, were both greatly molested, and suspended for 
nonconformity. The lord treasurer, with several other 
eminent persons, interceded with the bishop for the resto- 
. ration of Mr. Handson, but all to no purpose. The angry 
prelate peremptorily declared, that he should not be re- 
stored, unless he would publicly acknowledge his fault, 
and enter into bonds for his behaviour in future. Mr. 
Drewit was committed to Newgaté, and Mr. Nash to the 
Marshalsea, where they remained a long time. Also, 
during this year, Mathew Hament, a poor plow-wright at 
- Hethersett, near Norwich, being suspected of holdin 
many unsound and dangerous opinions, was convened. 
before the Bishop of Norwich, condemned as an heretic, 
and, May 20th, committed to the flames in the castle-ditch. 
As a preparative to this punishment, his ears were cut off 
on the 13th of the same month.t These proceedings were 
too conformable to those of the church of Rome. 
_ Great numbers of pious and learned ministers were now 
indicted at the assizes, for omitting to use the surplice, the 
cross in baptism, the ring in marri or some part of the 
common prayer. They were ranked with the worst of 
felons, and exposed to public contempt, to the great dis- 
honour of God, and injury of her majesty’s subjects. 
Many persons of quality in the various counties of England, 
petitioned the lords of the council in behalf of the perse- 
cuted ministers. In the Suffolk petition are these words :-— 
“ The painful pastors and ministers of the word, by what 
justice we know not, are now of late brought to the bar at 
every assize; marshalled with the worst malefactors, in- 
dicted, arraigned, and condemned for matters, as we pre- 
sume, of very slender moment: some for having holidays 
unbidden; some for singing the hymn nunc dimittis in the 
morning ; some for turning the question in baptism from 
the infants to the godfathers, which is only you, for thou ; 
some for leaving out the cross in baptism ; some for leavi 
out the ring in marriage; whereunto,” say they, “ neither 
the law, nor the lawmakers, in our judgment, had ever any 
regard. | 

* Strype’s Aylmer, p. 86. eylin’s Hist. of Pres. p. 280, 281. 

t Parte of a Register, p. 128, + Heyile’s 8 P 


4A INTRODUCTION. 


But instead of relieving the. suffering ministers, their 
burdens were greatly increased. In the year 1580, the 
parliament passed a law, entitled “ An Act to retain the 
Queen's Subjects in their due Obedience,” which enacted 
« That all persons who do not come to church or chapel, 
or other place where common praycr is said, according to 
the act of uniformity, shall foricit twenty pounds per month 
to the queen, and suffer imprisonment till paid. Those 
who are absent for twelve months, shall, besides their 
former fine, be bound with two sufficient sureties in a bend 
of two hundred pounds, until they conform. And every 
schoolmaster who does not come to common prayer, shall 
forfeit ten pounds a month, be disabled from teaching school, 
and suffer a year’s imprisonment.”* This, says a learned 
churchman, was little better than making merchandize of 
souls.+ The fine was, indeed, unmerciful, and the com- 
mon people had nothing to expect but to rot in jails. 

The legislature, by these violent measures, overshot the 
mark, and instead of crushing the puritans, or reconciling 
them to the church, they drove them farther from it. Men 
of integrity will not easily be beaten. from their principles: 
by canons, injunctions, subscriptions, fines, or imprison- 
ment; much less will they esteem the church fighting 
with such weapons. Multitudes were by these methods 
driven to a total separation, and they became so far opposed 
to the persecuting church of England, as not to allow it to 
be a true church, nor its ministers true ministers. They 
renounced all communion with it, not only in the prayers 
and ceremonies, but invhearing the word and the sacraments. 
These were called Brownists, from Robert Brown, at this 
time a preacher in the diocese of Norwich. The Brownists 
did not differ from the church of England in matters of faith ; 
but were very rigid in points of discipline. They main- 
tained the discipline of the church of England to be popish 
and antichristian, and all her ordinances to be invalid. 
They apprehended that, according to scripture, every 
church ought to be confined within a single congregation ; 
and the choice of its officers, and the admission and exclu- 
sion of members, with all its other regulations, ought to be 
determined by the brotherhood. Many of the Brownists 
were great sufferers in their zeal for nonconformity : among 
these were Mr. Copping and Mr. Thacker, ministers in the 
county of Suffolk. After suffering imprisonment seven 


* Barn’s Eccl. Law, vol. ii. p. 146. 
+ Faller’s Church Hist. b. ix. p. 131. 


‘ 


INTRODUCTION. A5 


years, for spreading Brown’s books against the bishops and 
the established church, they were tried, condemned, and 
hanged at Bury St. Edmunds. At the same time, Mr. 
John Lewis, for denying the godhead of Christ, and, it is 
said, for holding other detestable heresies, was burnt at 
Norwich, September 17, 1583.» 

Upon the death of Archbishop Grindal,+ Dr. John 
AV hitgit became Archbishop of Canterbury, and was con- 
fi September 23, 1583. The queen charged him “ to 
restore the discipline of the church, and the uniformity 
established by law, which,” says she, ‘‘ through the con- 
nivance of some prelates, the obstinacy of the puritans, 
and the power off some noblemen, is run out of square.”’t 
Therefore, in obedience to her majesty’s royal command, 
the new archbishop immediately published the following 
articles, and sent them to the bishops of his province, for 
their direction in the government of their dioceses :— 
“ That all reading, preaching, catechising, and praying in 
any private family, where any are present besides the 
family, be utterly extinguishcd.—That none do preach or 
catechise except he also read the whole service, and admi- 
nister the sacrament four times a year.—That all preachers, 
and others in ecclesiastical orders, do at all times wear the 
habits prescribed.—And that none be admitted to preach, 
or to execute any part of the ecclesiastical function, unless 
they be ordained according to the manner of the church of 
England; nor unless they subscribe the three following 
articles.” 

1. * That the queen hath, and ought to have, the sove- 
reignty and rule over all manner of persons, born 
<¢ within her dominions, of what condition soever they be ; 
“and that none other power or potentate hath, or ought to 
<¢ have, any power, ecclesiastical or civil, within her realms 
“ or dominions. 

2. “ That the Book of Common Prayer, and of ordaining 
“‘ bishops, priests, and deacons, containeth in it nothing 
< contrary to the word of God, but may be lawfully used ; 


. -* Parallel betwixt Phanatics, p.11, Edit. 1661: from Stow, 

_ + Grindal, in his latter days, was much inclined to favour the puritans, 
and was, with great difficulty, brought to punish them for their noncoa- 
formity. He had not sat long in the chair of Canterbury, before he was 
suspended and confined in his own house, for vot suppressing the religious 
exercises called Prophesyings, which his conscience told him should have 
been encouraged aad promoted. He continued under the tyrannical cen- 
sure several years,— Hume's Hist. of Eng. vol. v. p. 188.—Granger’s Bieg. 

Zist. vol. i. p. 204. 
+ Kennet’s Hist. of Eng. vol. ii, p. 494. 


46 so INTRODUCTION. 


« and that he himself will use the same, and none other, in 
“ public prayer and administration of the sacraments. 

8. “ That he alloweth the book of articles, agreed upon 
“in the convocation holden at London in 1562, and set 
“forth by her majesty’s authority; and he believe all the 
“articles therein contained to be agreeable to the word 
« of God.’’* 

These were called Whitgift’s articles, because he was 
their principal author. Subscription to them was required 
for many years, without the warrant of any statute or canon 
whatsoever. By Whitgift’s strict imposition of them upon 
all ministers, multitudes who refused to comply were sus- 
pended and deprived. They would most cordially have 
subscribed to the first and third, but could not in conscience 
subscribe, “ That the Book of Common Prayer and Ordi- 
nation contained nothing contrary to the word of God,”+ 
‘These proceedings excited universal alarm, and great num- . 
bers of worthy ministers were brought under the eccle- 
_ siastical censure. Sixty-four ministers were suspended in 

the county of Norfolk, sixty in Suffolk,¢ thirty in Sussex, 
thirty-eight in Essex, twenty in Kent, and twenty-one in 
Lincolnshire. Among those in the county last mentioned, 
were Messrs. Charles Bingham, vicar of Croft, John 
Somerscales of Beseby, Joseph Gibson of Swaby, William 
Muming, vicar of Claxby, Reignald Grome of Thedilthorp 


* Strype’s Whitgift, p. 115, 116. + MS. Register, p. 518. - 

}¢ The names of those suspended in Suffolk, were the following, forty- 
four of the last being suspended on one day ;—Nicholas Bound, minister 
ef Norton; Richard Grandish, A.M. rector of Bradfield; Lawrance 
Whitaker, A. B. rector of Bradfield; Richard Holden, A.B. rector of 
Testock; Gaulter Alles, B.D. of Rushbrook; Reignald Whitfield, A. M. 
of Barrow; Thomas Rogers of Horningsheath ; Anthony Rowe of Hedgesset; 
Thomas Warren; William Cook; William Holden; Nicholas Bonnington, 
rector of Chettisham; John Tylmen, A. M. of Borgholts; Richard Dowe, 
A.M. vicar of Stratford; John Carter, A. M. vicar of Bramford; Martina 
Brige, A. M. vicar of Brettenbam; Henry Sandes of Boxford; John 
Holden, rector of Bildeston ; Thumas Cranshawe, A, M. rector of Boxted ¢ 
Peter Cook, curate to Mr. Cranshawe; John Knewstubs, B. D. rector of 
Cockfields William Hey, rector of Nedgings; John Aulthroppe of Sad- 
bury; Robert Ballard, A. B. rector of Clare: Lawrance Fairclough, vicar 
of Haverhi!; John Ward; Nicholas Eglesten, rector of Stradshill s 
William Turner, rector of Wratting-Parva; Robert Prick of Denham; 
“Thomas Sutton, A. M. rector of Eriswell; Josias Hallington, Edinund 
Salmon, Thomas Jeffraye, Thomas Wattis, Mr. Phillips, Roger Natle, 
Reger Geffrey, John Smith, John Forthe, Thomas Moore, William Browne, 
John Cooper, William Flemming, Robert Sweete, William Bentloc, Joha 
Smith, Thoma» Hagas, Daniel Dennis, George Webb, William Bend, Joba 
Eaglish, Thomas Fowle, Robert Cotsford, Richard King, Mr. Lovell, Mr. 
vee Mr. Pigge, Mr. Hill, Mr. Smith, and Dr. Crick.—MS. Register, 
P- 20. 


INTRODUCTION. 47 


St: Hellen, Mr. Sheppard, vicar of Bardney, Mr. B 
of Torksey, Mr. Huddlestone of Saxilby, Mr. Rellet of 
Carlton in Moreland, Mr. Nelson of Skinnand, Mr. Hughe 
of Silk-Willoughby, Mr. Daniel of Ingolsby, Mr. Richard 
Holdsworth of Hoothdy, Mr. Thomas Fulbeck of Boultham, 
Mr. Anthony Hunt of West-Deeping, and Mr. Richard 
Allen of Ednam.* (Great numbers in the diocese of Peter- 
borough, in the city of London, and other parts of the 
in¢dom, received the like ecclesiastical censure. 
ultitudes of the best ministers and. moet laborious 
preachers in the nation, as the Earl of Leicester observes, 
were now deprived of their ministry.t The terrible storm 
fell upon Mr. Fenner and Mr. Wood, who were imprisoned 
twelve months, and ded seven or cight years. Mr. 
Stroud was deprived of his ministry, and commanded to 
leave the country. He had so high a reputation, and was 
so universally beloved, that no less than thirteen petitions 
were presented to the archbishop for his restoration; but all 
to no purpose. Messrs. Underdown, Hopkinson, N orded 
and Hely, together with Mr. Anthony Hobson, vicar 
minster; Mr. John German, vicar of Buringham ; Mr. 
Richard Whitaker, vicar of Almerby ; Mr. William Clark, 
vicar of Langton; Mr. John Bingham, minister of Hadleigh, 
Mr. Turner, Mr. Star, Mr. Jackson, and many others, were 
all suspended at the same time.t Mr. Hill, minister at 
Bury St. Edmunds, for having omitted the cross in baptism, 
and making some trivial alteration in the vows, was sus- 
pended, several times indicted at the assizcs, and commifted 
to prison, where he continued a long time. The venerable 
Mr. Fenn was cited to Lambeth and suspended. Messrs. 
Hooke, Paget, and Oxenbridge, suffered the like eccle- 
siastical censure. Mr. Danicl Dyke, a most excellent 
divine, was twice suspended, deprived of his ministry, and 
driven out of the county. Mr. Benison was committed to 
the Gatehouse, where, to his unspeakable injury, he re- 
mained five years. Upon his application to the council, 
the lords were so moved with the reading of his case, that 
they wrote to Bishop Aylmer, signifying that he ought to 
make the good man some considerable recompence for his 
hard dealing. Dr. Browning was deprived of his fellowship 
at Cambridge, and forced from the university. Mr. Brayne, 
another learned divine at Cambridge, was cited to Lam 
and, refusing the oath ex officio, was suspended. : Many 


# MS, Register, p. 696—T12 © - + Ibid. 518. ¢ Ibid. p. $95. 


48 INTRODUCTION. 


others in the diocese of Ely were prosecuted for nonecene 
formity. Also Messrs, Barber, Field, Egerton, and Rockrey, 
were all suspended, part of whom continued u 
censure many years. Mr. Elliston of Preston, in Northe 
amptonshire, was, for three years “hor, continually 
cited before the prelates. During that period, 
he had ten journies to London, veven to Peterborough, one 
to Cambridge, and many to Leicester andl Northam ° 
c was greatly impoverished, suspended from his ministry, 
and depri of bis living. Mr. Cawdrey, rector of 
Luffenham in Rutlandshire, a divine of good utation, 
was suspended, deprived, cast into prison, degraded from 
the ministry, and, with a family of eight children, left to 
starve as a mere layman: also, during his troubles, which 
continued many years, he had twenty-two expensive Journies 
to London. A. John Holden, rector of Bildeston, was 
suepenicd and excommunicated for not subscribing to 
itgifl’s articles.» Mr. Hopkins, vicar of Nazing, in 
y was, for the same thing, deprived of his benefice. 
Mr. Whiting of Panfield, was twice suspended, and then 
deprived. Mr. Hawkdon, vicar of Fryon, was indicted at 
the assizes, suspended, and deprived of his living. Mr. 
Huckle of Eythorp-Roding, was suspended; and though 
the lords of the council applied to the bishop for his 
restoration, his grace positively refused. Mr. Cornwell of 
Markshall, was suspended, and openly reviled by the 
bishop, who called him wretch, and beast, and committed 
him to the custody of his pursuivant. Mr. Negus of Leigh, 
was suspended and deprived, for not promising to wear the 
surplice, though there was no surplice in the parish. Mr. 
Seridge of East Havingficld, was suspended and three 
times indicted at the assizes. Mr. Carew of Hatfield, being 
cited before the bishop, and refusing the oath ex officio, was 
suspended, deprived, and committed to the Fleet; and Mr. 
Allen, his patron, was committed at the same time. Mr. 
Gifford, vicar of Maldon, was twice suspended, and cast 
into prison, and his troubles continued several years. Mr. 
sy of Ridgwell, having been molested several years, 
was indicted at the assizes, committed to prison, and obliged 
to enter into bonds not to preach any more within the 
diocese of London. Upwards of thirty other ministers in 
the county of Essex were suspended, deprived, or worse 
treated, by the inhuman procecdings of Bishop Aylmer, 


* M8. Register, p. 566, 567. 


INTRODUCTION. 49 


“for refusing to :subscribe, wear the surplice, or some other 
Avivial matter.» He, moreover, advised the heads of the 

_, university of Cambridge to call in ali their licenses, and 
expel all who refused to wear the apparel, saying, ‘‘ The 
folly that is bound up in the heart of a child, is to be 
expelled by. the rod of discipline.”+ This cruel, ~ 
cuting prelate might, therefore, with truth say, ‘‘ He was 
hated like a dog, and was called the oppressor of the 
children of God.’’t 
 While.the puritans were suffering the above extremities, 
there was the greatest scarcity of preachers in all parts of 
the kingdom. It appears from an impartial survey of all 
the counties of England, that there were only 2000 preachers, 
to serve nearly 10,000 parishes: and while many of the 
best and most useful preachers were silenced, there were 
multitudes of piuralists, nonresidents, and ministers, who 
could not preach. There were 416 ministers who could 
not preach in the county of Norfolk, 457 in Lincolashire, 
and the same in other counties.4 Numerous petitions were, 
at the same time, presented to parliament in favour of the 
suffering nonconformists; but by the oppesition and ine 
fluence of W hitgift and other prelates, they were rejected. 
The lords of. the council being much concerned for the 
persecuted ministers, wrote to Whitgift and Aylmer, 
saying, ‘‘ That they had received complaints, that great 
numbers of zealous and learned preachers in various coun- 
ties, especially in Essex, were suspended or deprived ; that 
there was no preaching, prayers, or sacraments in the 
vacant places; that in some places, the persons appointed 
to succeed them, had neither good leaming, nor good 


* The names of these persecuted servants of Christ, were the following :— 
Mewrs. Wyresdale of Maldon, Carr of Rayne, Tenstal of Totham, Piggot 
of Tilbury, Ward of Writtle, Dyke of Coggeshall, Northey of Celchester, 
Newnian of Coggeshall, Taye of Pildon, Parker of Dedham, Farrar of 
Langham, Serls of Lexden, Lewis of St. Peter’s, Colchester, Cock of Sf. 
Giles’s, Colchester, Bernamont of Easthorpe, Redrige of Hutton, Chaplain 
of Hempsted, Culverwell of Felsted, Chapman of Dedham, Knevit, Mile- 
end, Colchester, Regers of Wethersfield, Wilton of Aldham, Forth of 
Great-Glaston, Winkfield of Wicks, Dent of Seuth-Southberry, Pain of 
Tolesbary, Barker of Prittlewell, Larking of Little-Waltham, Camillus 
Musticus of Fangy, Howell of Paglesham, Maiburne of Great-Makering, 
Knight of Nempsted, and Chadwick of Danbury. These, says our author, 
are the painfal ministers of Essex, of whom says the bishop, ‘‘ You shall 
be white with me, or I will be biack with you.” ——MS. Register, p. 564, 
341, 142. 


+ Strype’s Aylmer, p: 69. f Ibid. p. 96. 
ter, p. 206. Ibid. p. 606. 
< Strype’s Whitgift, p. 176-189. 


VOL I. _ &g 


50 INTRODUCTION. 


namie; and that in other places, a gteat number of 
occupying cures, were notoriously unfit, some for lack of 
learning, and others chargeable with enormous faults: as, 
drunkenness, futhiness of life, gaming at cards, haunting 
of ale-houses, &c. against whom they heard of no pro- 
ceedings.”* The Lord Treasurer Burleigh, also, him- 
self addressed the archbishop, saying, “‘ [ am sorry to 
trouble you so oft as I do, but I am more troubled myself, 
not only with many private petitions of ministers, recom- 
mended for persons of credit, and peaceable in their 
ministry, who are greatly troubled by your grace and 
your colleagues; but I am daily charged by counsellors 
and public persons, with neglect of my duty, in not 
staying your grace’s vehement proceedings against minis- 
ters, whereby papists are encouraged, and the queen’s 
safety endangered,—I have read over your twenty-four 
articles, formed in a Romish style, to examine all manner 
of mfnisters, and to be executed ex officio nuro. I think 
the Inquisition of Spain used not so many uestions to 
comprehend and to trap their priests. Surely this judicial 
and canonical sifting of poor ministers, is not to edify ox 
reform. This kind of proceeding is too much savouring 
of the Romish Inquisition, and is a device to seek for 
offenders, rather than to reform them.”+ But these appli- 
cations were to no purpose: for, as Fuller qbserves, 
“¢ This was the constant custom of Whitgift; if any lord 
or lady sued for fayour to any nonconformist, he would 
profess how glad he was to serve them, and gratify their 
. desires, assuring them for his part, that all possible kindness 
should be indulged to them, but he would remit nothing of 
his rigour. Thus he never denied any great man’s desire, 
and yet never granted it; pleasing them for the present 
with general promises, but still kept to his own ution ; 
whereupon the nobility ceased making any further applica- 
tion to him, knowing them to be ineffectual..Ӣ 
The commons in parliament, at the same time, were not 
unmindful of the liberties of the subject. They presented 
a petition to the upper house, consisting of sixteen articles, 
with a view to further the reformation of the church, to 
remove the grievances of the puritans, and to promote an 
union of the conformists and nonconformists. But by the 
position of the bishops, nothing could be done.j All 
at the puritans could obtain, was a kind of conference 


© Fuller's Church Hist. b, ix, p. 151. + Ibid, p. 158. 
t Ibid. p. 218, § D. Ewes’s Journal, p. 857-359. 


INTRODUCTION. §1 


betwixt the Archbishop and the Bishop of Winchester, on 
the one part; and Dr. Sparke and Mr. Travers, on the 
other, in the presence of the Earl of Leicester, Lord Gray, 
Sir Francis Walsingham, and some others. The confer- 
_ence was held at Lambeth, concerning things needful to be 
reformed in the Book of Common Prayer.* 

In the year 1586, the persecution of the puritans went for- 
wards with unabating fury. Thecelebrated Mr. Travers was 
silenced by Archbishop Whitgift. Mr. Udal was sus- 
pended and deprived of his living. Mr. Glover was con- 
vened before Whitgift, and cast into prison. Mr. Moore 
was cited before the high commission at York, where he 
endured many troubles. Mr. Hildersham, a most excel- 
lent divine, was suspended, and commanded to make a 
public recantation. Dr. Walward, a learned professor of 
divinity at Oxford, and Mr. Gillibrand, fellow of Mag- 
dalen: college in the same university, were both cited 
before the high cammission at Lambeth; when they were 
suspended, enjoined public recantations, and obliged to 
enter into bonds till they were performed. Mr. Gardiner 
was deprived and committed to Newgate by Bishop 
Aylmer, from whom he received most cruel usage. Mr. 

igginton, vicar of Sedburgh, was deprived of his living, 
and afterwards.apprehended and carried before W hitgift ; 
who, upon his refusal of the oath ex officio, committed 
him to prison, where he was treated with the utmost bar- 
barity. The tyrannical archbishop also deprived him a 
second time, and degraded him from the ministry. Mr. 
Wigginton afterwards obtaining his release, returned 
home ; and venturing to preach after his lordship’s cen- 
sure, he was apprehended and sent prisoner to Lancaster 
castle, where he remained a long time under very cruel 

At the same time, about one hundred and forty of 
his people, for hearing him preach, were excommuni- 
cated. The zealous minister having at length obtained 
his liberty, was again apprehended and carried before 
Whitgift, who, for refusing the above oath, committed 
him to the Gatehouse, where he continued most probably’ 
till he consented to be banished. Mr. Settle, a Suffolk 
divine, was arraigned before the archbishop, who treated 
him with very reproachful language, calling him ass, dolt, 
fool and after many threatenings, the angry prelate sent 

im to the Gatehouse, where he continued close prisoner 


s 


* See Art. Travera. . 


53 INTRODUCTION. 


‘many years. Such were the proceedings of that arch- 
bishop who is said to have been eminently distinguished for 
his meld and excellent temper.* : 

* The suffering puritans, during this year, presented a 
petition to the convocation, tending to promote a recon- 
ciliation betwixt the conformists and nonconformists, but . 
most probably without the least effect.+ They also made 
another effort to obtain a redress of their grievances 
the parliament, by presenting an humble supplication to 
the house of commons; in which they say, ‘ It pierces 
our hearts with grief to hear the cries of the people for the 
word of God. The bishops either preach not at all, or 
very seldom. And others abandon their flocks, contrary 
to the charge of Christ, feed my sheep. But great num- 
bers of the best qualified for preaching, and of the most 
industrious in their spiritual function, are not suffered 
quietly to discharge their duties, but are followed with 
innumerable vexations, notwithstanding they are neither 
Reretics nor schismatics, but keep within the pale of the 
church, and persuade others so to do, who would have 
departed from it. They fast and pray for the queen and 
the church, though they have been rebuked for it, and 
diversly punished” by officers both civil and ecclesiastical. 
They are suspended and deprived of their mi » and 
the fruits of their livings sequestered to others. is has 
continued many years; and last of all many of them are 
committed to prison, when some haye been chained with 
frons, end continued in hard durance a long time. 

“< To bring about these severities, the bishops tender the 
suspected persons an oath ex officio, to answer all interro- 

. gatories to be put to them, though it be to accuse them- 

Selves ; and when they have got a confession, they proceed 
upon it to punish them with all rigour, contrary to the 
Jaws of and the land. Those who refused have been 
cast into prison, and commanded there to lie without bail, 
till they would yield. The grounds of these troubles are 
not impiety, immorality. want of learning or diligence m 
their ministerial work, but not being satisfied in the use of 

:. Certain ceremonies and orders of the church of Rome, and 
for not being able to declare, that every thing in the Book 

‘of Common Prayer is agreeable to the word of God." 
‘T'wo bills were at the same time brought into the house of 
commons, for the abolition of the old ecclesiastical laws, 


* Paule’s Life of Whitgift, p. 37. + Parte of a Register, p. 323- 
t MS, Register, p. 672, °° . ee 


INTRODUCTION. 53 


and the old Book of Common Prayer, and for the esta- 
blishment of a new one; but the queen being offended, 
forbad them to proceed.* 

All the endeavours of the puritans proving ineffectual, 
and being wearied with repeated applications to their 
superiors, they began to despair of obtaining relief. There- 
fore, in one of their assemblies, they came to this con- 
clusion: ‘‘ That since the magistrates could not be induced 
to reform the discipline of the church, it was lawful, after 
waiting so many years, to act without them, and introduce 
a reformation in the best manner they could.” They had 
their private classes or associations in Essex, Northampton- 
shire, Warwiekshire, London, Cambridge and other places, 
when they consulted about the most proper means of pro- 
‘moting the desired object. And having revised their book, 
entitled “‘ The Holy Discipline of the Church, described 
in the Word of God,” it was subscribed by above five hune 
dred ministers, all divines of good learning, and of unspote 
ted lives. + 

In the year 1587, Mr. Holmes, rector of Kenn, was 
driven from his flock and his living. Mr. Horrocks, vicar 
of Kildwick, in the West-Riding of Yorkshire, was con- 
vened before the high commission at York, committed to 
York castle, and enjoined a public recantation, for suffer- 
ing Mr. Wilson, another puritan minister, to preach in 
his church, though it was his native place. Mr. Wilson 
. Was also convened, and cast into prison. After he had 
obtained his release, he was obliged to remove out of the 
archbishop’s province ; and going to London, he was called 
before Whitgift and suspended. Mr. Allison was twice 
suspended. Mr. Penry was summoned before the high 
commission and commitied to prison. Mr. Johnson and 
_ Mr. Bainbrigg, both fellows in the university of Cambridge, 

and popular preachers, were cast into prison, where they 
continued a long time. Mr. Jewel was tried at the public 
asdizes for nonconformity, and condemned to suffer five 
months’ imprisonment. Mr. Wight was harassed for 
many years, when his study was broken open searched, 
and his private papers carried away. Mr. Darrel and 
Mr. Moore were both cited before the high commission at 
Lambeth, when the former was deposed from his ministry, 
and committed close prisoner to the Gatehouse, and t 
latter close prisoner to the Clink, where they continued 


* MS. Remarks, p. 465. - + Neal’s Puritans, vel..1. p- 423, 


64 INTRODUCTION. 


many years. Mr. Udal was summoned before the council, 
sent close prisoner to the Gatehouse, and not suffered 'to have 
pen, ink, or paper, or any one to speak to him. He was 
afterwards tried at the public assizes and condemned as a 
felon. Having received sentence of death, pardon . was 
offered him if he would have recanted; but he continued 
firm to his principles, and died in the. Marshalsea, as a 
martyr in the cause of religious liberty. . 

The proceedings of the high commission against the 
afflicted puritans, now exceeding: all bounds, men of the 
greatest eminence began even to question the legality of 
the court, But the archbishop, to get. over this difficulty, 
and remove the odium from himself, sent the principal 
nonconformists, especially those possessed of worldly. estates 
_ to be prosecuted in the star-chamber.+ . Indeed, several of 
the bishops, as well as many of the lords temporal, opposed 
these Proceedings ; and it appears from a list now before 
me, that upwards of one hundred and twenty .of the house 
of commons, were not only averse to persecution, but zea- 
Jous advocates for a reformation of the church, and the 
removal of those burdens under which the puritans 
groaned.t Therefore, in 1588, a bill against pluralities 
and nonresidence passed the commons, and was carried up 
to the lords; but by the determined opposition of the 
zealous prelates, it came to nothing.t | 

The puritans still continued ta hold their associations. 
Many. divines, highly celebrated both for learning and 
piety, were leaders in their assemblies, and chosen mode- 
rators : as, Messrs. Knewstubs, Gifford, Rogers, Fenn and 
Cartwright., At one of these assemblies, held at Coventry, 
it was resolved, ‘* That private baptism is unlawful.— 
That the sign of the cross dught not to be used in baptism.— 
That the faithful qught not to communicate with ignorant 
ministers—That the calling of bishops is unlawful.— 
‘That it is not lawful to be ordained by them, nor to rest 
in their. deprivation of any from the ministry.—And that 

* Fuller’s Church Hist. b. ix. p. 187. . 

+ MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 417. (15.) : 

$ During the debate upon this bill in the upper houses, when it wag 
signified that the queen would confer with the hishops upos the points 
contained in the bill, the celebrated Lord Gray said, *‘ he greatly won- 
dered at her majesty choosing to confer with those who were enemies to 
the reformation; and added, that he wished the bishops might be served 
as they were in the days of. Heiry VITJ. when they were all throst out of. 
doors. —Strupe's Annals, vol. iii. p. 543.—J'uller’s Church Hist. b. ike 


p- 190. 
§ Strype’s Annals, vol. iii, p, 470, 471, 


4 


INTRODUCTION. : 55 


for the restoration of ecclesiastical discipline, it ought -to 
be taught the people, as occasion shall serve. Some of 
the more zealous nonconformists about this time, published 
Martin Mar-Prelate, and other satirical pamphlets.+ They 
were designed to expose the blemishes of the established 
church, and the tyrannical proceedings of the bishops. 
They contained much truth, but were clothed in very 
offensive language. Many of the puritans were charged 
with being the authors: as, Udal, Penry, Throgmorton, 
and Wigginton; but the real authors were never. known. 
However, to put a stop to these publications, the queen 
issued her royal proclamation, ‘ For calling in all schisma- 
tical and seditious books, as tending to introduce monstro 
and ‘dangerous innovation, with the malicious pu of 
dissolving the present prelacy and established church.” ¢ 

The flame of contention betwixt the conformists and 
nonconformists, broke out this year with redoubled fury, 
when Dr. Bancroft, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, 
ventured to assert, that the order of bishops was superior 
to that of presbyters, by divine appointment, and that the 
denial of it was heresy. This new doctrine § was readily 
adopted by many, in favour of their high notions of epis- 
copal ordination, and gave new fuel to the flame of con- 
troversy. They who embraced the sentiments of Bancroft, 
considered all ministers not episcopally ordained, as irre- 
gularly invested with the sacred office, as inferior to the 
Romish priests, and as mere laymen. | 

in the year 1590, the persecution of the puritans still 
raged with unabating fury. Many of the best divines were 
prosecuted with the utmost rigour in the high commission 
. and the star-chamber, Mr. Hubbock and Mr. Kendal, 
two diyines in great repute at Oxford, were cited before 


* Faller’s Church Hist. b. ix. p. 194. 

+ The bishops having cried out loudly against Martin Mar-Prelate, it 
was prohibited that ‘no person should presume to carry it about him, upon 
pain of punishment. This the queen declared in the presence of the Earl 
of Leicester, who, pulling the book out of his pocket, and shewing it the 
queen, said, ‘‘ what then will become of me?’’ But it does not appear 
that any thing was done.—Selection Harleim Miscel. p.157. Edit. 1793. 

Sparrow’s Collec. p. 173. 

The first English reformers admitted only two orders of church+officers, 
bishops and deacons, ta be ef divine appointment. They accounted a 
bishop and a presbyter to be only two names for the same office. But 
Bancroft, in his sermon at Paul’s Cross, January 12, 1588, maintained, 
that the bishops of Englaod were a distinct order from priests, and pos- 
sessed a suporiority over them, jure divino. Mr. Strype thinks that Bancroft 
published this new doctrine under the instructions of Whitgift.—Strype’s 
Whitgift,p.292. § Mosheim’s Eccl. Hist. vol. iv. p. 393. 


56 INTRODUCTION. 


W hitgift, and suspended. Mr.Hildersham was prosecuted - 
a second time in the high commission, and again suspended. 
He was obliged to enter into bonds not to preach in an 
part of England; and when restored he was not allowed, 
some time, to preach at any place south of the river 
Trent. The celebrated Mr. Cartwright, with many of his 
brethren, endured, much severe persecution. This divine 
having been prosecuted for nonconformity, was driven into 
a foreign land, where he remained several years in a state 
of exile. Upon his return for the benefit of his health, he 
was immediately apprehended, and, though in a very lan- 
guishing condition, was cast into prison. At length, 
ving obtained his liberty, he was suspended by his 
diocesan, and convened before the high commission, when 
thirty-one articles were exhibited against him. But re- 
fusing the oath ex officio, to answer these articles, he was 
immediately committed to the Fleet, with his brethren, 
Messrs. Stephen Egerton, Humphrey Fenn, Daniel W ight, 
Farmer, Edward Lord, Edmund Snape, Andrew 
. King, Rushbrooke, Wiggins, John Field, ——— 
Royde, John Payne, William Proudlove, Melancton 
Jewel, &c.e Many others were summoned at the same 
time : as, Messrs. Henry Alvey, Thomas Edmunds, William 
Perkins, Edmund Littleton, John Johnson, Thomas Stone, 
Thomas Barber, Hercules Cleavely, and Andrew Nutter. 
These believing it to be their duty to take the oath, deposed 
many things relative to the associations, and thus became 
witnesses against their brethren ; for which they were most 
probably released. But the others underwent many exami- 
nations; received much unkind treatment in the high 
commission and star-chamber; and they continued in 
rison several years. As this storm was gathering, Mr. 
rancis Kett, a man of some learning, and master of arts 
in one of the universities, was convened before the Bishop 
of Norwich; and for holding divers detestable opinions, 
as they are called, he was condemned and burnt near the 
city of Norwich.+ Such was the outrageous persecution in 
the reign of Queen Elizabeth ! 
- In the year 1592, the nonconformists had many bold and 
zealous advocates in both houses of parliament. Mr. 
Attorney Morrice, a man of distinguished eminence, moved 
the house of commons to enquire into. the inquisition and 
other proceedings of the bishops, contrary to the honour 
* Strype’s Whitgift, p. 831—333. 
+ Parallel betwixt tics, p. 11. Edit, 1661; from Sow. | 


INTRODUCTION. 37 


of God, the laws of the realm, and the liberty of the 
subject; compelling learned and godly ministers upon their 
own oaths, to accuse themselves, and to deprive, degrade 
and imprison them upon this accusation.* Tie also ffered 
two bills to the house; the one against the oath ex officio, 
the other against the illegal proceedings of the bishops, in 
which he was warmly supported by Sir Francis Knollys 
and other famous statesmen. But the queen, by her own 
arbitrary command, forbad the house to discuss eccle- 
siastical matters, and chai the speaker, upon his alle- 
giance, not to read the bills.+ Morrice was, at the same 
time, seized in the house, and carried prisoner to Tutbury 
castle, where he continued many years. ; 
The parliament having tamely yielded its own liberties 
and those of the subject, to the tyrannical power of the 
queen, passed one of the most unjust and inhuman acts for 
oppression and cruelty, that was ever known in a pro- 
testant country, It is entitled “¢ An Act for the Punish. 
ment of Persons obstinately refusing to come to Church ;” 
aad enacts, ‘ that all persons above the age of sixteen, 
refusing to come to church; or persuading others to den) 
her majesty’s authority in causes ecclesiastical ; or dissuad- 
ing them trom coming to church; or being found present 
at any conventicle or meeting under pretence of religion; 
shall upon conviction be committed to prison without bail, 
til they shall conform and come to church.” But in case 
such offenders should refuse to subscribe a most i 
recantation, it is further enacted, “That within three months, 
they shall AnsURE THE REALM and go into PeRPETUAL 
BaNIsHMENT. And if they do not depart within the time 
inted ; or if they ever return without the queen’s license, 
shall SUFFER DEATH WITHOUT BENEFIT OF CLERGY.”$ 
The case of the nonconformists was by this act worse than 
that of felons. Herein the queen exceeded the tyranny of 
Henry VIII. For absolute as that monarch was, he con- 


fssion of the established 
on its public service.” 
“of this statute fell chiefly upon the 
~miged all communion with the national 
+ MB. Remarks, p. 405." 


wm's Reel. Law, vol, ii. p. 241, 248, 
Fs 400, : 


58 INTRODUCTION. 


eburch, and: were now become very numerous. There 
were several considerable persons at their head: as, 
Messrs, Smyth, Jacob, Ainsworth, Johnson, and Green- 
wood. Their London congregation being obliged to meet 
in different places, to hide itself from the bishops’ officers, 
was at Iength discovered on a Lord's day at Ishington, in 
the very place in which the protestant congregation met in 
the reign of Queen Mary; when about fifty-six were 
apprehended, and sent two by two to the different prisons 
about London, where many others had been long con- 
fined. The names of most of these persecuted servants of 
Christ, with the cruel oppressions they endured, are now 
before me. They suffered a long and miserable confine- 
ment; and under the barbarous usage they met with, man 
of them died in prison.t Mr. Roger Rippon, who died this 
year, is said to have been the Jast of sixteen or seventeen that 
were murdered in Newgate. Numerous families, as well as 
individuals, were driven into banishment, while many died 
in close imprisonment, and others suffered upon the gallows. 
Among the latter were Mr. Henry Barrow and Mr. John 
Greenwood. ‘These ns having endured several years 
close confinement in the Fleet, were tried, condemned, and 
executed at Tyburn, giving the strongest testimony of their 
unfeigned piety towards God, and their unshaken loyalty 
to the queen. Also, Mr. John Penry, a pious and learned 
minister, was arraigned, condemned, and executed in a 
most cruel and barbarous manner. Mr. William Dennys 
was also executcd on the same account, at Thetford in 
Norfolk.t These violent proceedings drove great numbers 
of the Brownists into Holland, where their leaders, Messrs, 
Smyth, Johnson, Ainsworth, Jacob, Robinson, and others, 
by leave of the states, erected churches according to their 
own views of the gospel, at Amsterdam, Arnheim, Middle- 
burgh, and Leyden. 

Several champions now appeared in defence of epis+ 
copacy: as, Drs. Bancroft, ilcon, Bridges, Cosin, and 
Soam. These were answered by Bradshaw, Fenner, 

* Sir Walter Raleigh declared in parliament, that in their various con- 
gregations, they were increased to the number of twenty thousand.—D. 
Ewes’s Journal, p. 51.— Townshend's Collections, p. 76. 

+ Baker’s MS, Collec. vol. xiv. p. 311, xv. 59—I11. 

} ** These round dealings,” says a reverend author, ‘ did a little terrify 
the rest of the puritans, and checked the fariousness of the wiser sort. 
But having the Earls of Leicester, Warwick, and Shrewsbury, Lords 
Nerth and Burleigh, Sir Francis Walsingham, and Sir Francis Knollys, with 
others of the nobility, for their honourable patrons, they resumed their cou- 
rage.” — Peirce’s Vindication, part i. p. 151.—-Faeulis’s Hist. of Piets, p. 61. 


INTRODUCTION. 59 


Morrice, and others; though the press was shut against the 
uritans. But Bancroft was their bitterest enemy. In 
is ¢ Survey” and ‘ Dangerous Positions,” he wrote with 

much fierceness, misrepresentation, and abuse. He re- 

proached the principles and practices of the puritans, as 
if they were enemies both to church and state, when they 

only sought, in the most peaceable manner, to promote a 

reformation of the ecclesiastical discipline and ceremonies, 

according to their views of the word of God.* 

Towards the close of Queen Elizabeth's reign many seve- 
rities were inflicted upon the nonconformists. Mr. William 
Smyth was apprehended and cast into prison. Mr. 
Smythurst was deprived of his living, and treated with 
great injustice by the high commission. Mr. Rudd was 
convened before the high commission, suspended, and 
forced to make a recantation. Mr. Aderster, a Lincoln- 
shire divine, having endured many sufferings by suspension, 
Geprivation, and other censures, in the high commission 
at beth, was tried at the public assizes, when Judge 
Anderson treated him worse than a dog. Mr. Clarke, 
preacher to the society at Lincoln’s-inn, London, and 

r. Philips, preacher at St. Saviour’s, Sauthwark, were 
both summoned before the high commission; when the 

~ former was deprived, and the latter suspended and com. . 
mitted to the Gatehouse. Mr. Bradshaw, an excellent 
divine, was silenced by Archbishop Whitgift; and a great 
number of ministers in Norfolk were under suspension, and 
their people greatly oppressed in the ecclesiastical courts. 

Some, indeed, supposed that the puritans were now van- 

quished, and their number greatly diminished, by the 

rigorous execution of the penal laws.+ This, however, is 
contrary to matter of fact. For in the beginning of the 
next reign, there were at least fifteen hun ministers who 
avowed their nonconformity to the national church. The 
queen died March 24, 1603, having reigned upwards of 
fort -four years, 

he puritans of these times were not without their failings, 
being men of like passions with their adversaries; yet, 
while they op episcopal impositions and oppres- 
sions, if they had accomplished their wishes, there is cause 
to fear, that they would have imposed their own discipline. 

Their notions of civil and religious liberty were confused, 

and their principles and behaviour sometimes rigid; yet 


* MS, Remarks, p. 461, + Fuller’s Church Hist. b. ix. p. 283. 


60 INTRODUCTION. 


they were meneminent for picty, devotion, and zeal in the 
cause of Christ. The suspensions and deprivations of this 
Jong reign are said to amount to several thousands.» But, 
while the nonconformists were thus harassed, the church 
and the nation were in a most deplorable state. Great 
numbers of churches, in all parts of the country, were 
without ministers; and among those who professed to be | 
ministers, about three thousand were mere readers, whe could 
not preach at all. And under pretence of maintaining order 
and uniformity in the church, popery, immorality, and 

liness were every where promoted: so that while 
the zealous prelaics pretended to be building up the church 
of England, they were evidently undermining the church of 

+ 


ipo 
Secr. III. 
From the Death of Queen Elizabeth, to the Death of - 
King James I, | 


' Kine James was thirty-six years old when he came to 
the crown of England, having reigned in Scotland from 
his infancy. His majesty’s behaviour in Scotland had 
raised too high the expectations of the puritans: they 
relied upon his education, his subscribing the covenant, his 
professed kindness for the suffering nonconformists, and his 
repeated declarations. He had declared in the general 
assembly at Edinburgh, with his hands lifted up to heaven, 
6¢ That he praised God that he was born to be king of the 
est kirk in the world. As for our neighbour kirk of 
£ngland,”’ said he, ‘‘ their service is an evil-said mass in 
English. They want nothing of the mass but the liftings.”’} 
The king had given great offence to the English bishops, by 
saying, ‘¢ that their order smelled vilely of popish pride; 
that they were a principal branch of the pope, of his 
bone, and flesh of his flesh; that the Book of Common 
Prayer was the English mass-book ; and that the. surplice, 
copes, and ceremonies were outward badges of ha} 
The expectations of the puritans were, therefore, high! 


* Neal’s Puritans, vol. i. p.5}1.—The sumber of clergy suspended and 
Geprived for nonconformity was, according to Hume, very great, and 
comprehended at one time a third of all the ecclesigstics in the kingdom { { 
é~HHist. of Eng. vol. v. p. 33%. «| 7 

+ MS. Remarks, p. 411. ‘ 

t Calderwood’s Hist. of Scotland, p. 256. § MS. Remarks, py 535. 


INTRODUCTION. 61 


rdised ; and upon the king’s accession, they took fresh 
courage, omitted some things in the public service, threw 
.aside the surplice, and rejected the unprofitable cere- 
monies. During his majesty’s progress to London, they 
presented their xillenary petition, subscribed by above 
1000 pious and able ministers, 750 of whom were out of 
twenty-five counties.* I[t is entitled “‘ The humble Petition 
of the Ministers of the Charch of England, desiring Re- 
formation of certain ceremonies and abuses of the Church.” 
They observe, ‘¢ that they being more than 1000 ministers, 
groaning under the burden of human rites and ceremonies, 
with one consent, threw themselves at his royal feet, for a 
reformation in the church service, ministry, livings, and 
discipline.”+ But amidst all their hopes, many of them 
rejoiced with trembling ; while James himself had, properly 
speaking, no other religion, than what flowed from a prin- 
ciple which he called kingcraft.t 

Indeed, this soon appeared at the Hlampton-court cone 
ference. This conference, and the disputants on both sides, 
were appointed by his majesty. For the church, there 
were nine bishops and about the seme number of dignitaries ; 
but for the puritans, there were only four divines, Dr. 
Rainolds, Dr. Sparke, Mr. Chadderton, and Mr. Knevwe 
stubs. ‘These divines having presented their request of & 
further reformation, in several particulars,s towards the 
conclusion the king arose from his chair, and ad 
Dr. Rainolds, saying, ‘‘ If this be all your party have to 
say, I will make them conform, or I will durry them out 
of the land, or else do worse.” And to close the whole, 
he said, “‘ I will have none of this arguing. Let them 
conform, and that quickly, or they shall hear of it.”4 Such 
was the royal logic of the new monarch! This conference, 
observes judicious historian, was only a blind to intros 
duce episcopacy into Scotland.1 The conduct of the king, 
who bore down all before him, was highly gratifying to the 
dignified prelates. Besides other instances of palpable 
flattery, Archbishop Whitgift said, «‘ He was verily per- 
suaded the king spoke by the spirit of God.”++ 


* Clatk’s Lives annexed to Martyr, p. 116. 
+ Fualler’s Church Hist. b. x. p. 22. ; 
Warner's Hist. of Eng. vol. ii. p. 477. 
See Art. Rainolds. { Barlow’s Sum of Conference, p. 170, 177, 
{ Rapin’s Hist. of Eng. vol. ii. p. 162. 
- #® Welwood’s Memoirs, p. 21.—Bishop Bancroft, falling on his knees 
before the king, on this occasion, and with his eyes raised to him, said, 
“ I protest my heart melteth for joy, that Almighty God, of his singular 
mercy, has given us such a king, as since Christ’s time hath not beea.”=— 
Mosheim’s Eccl. Hist. vol. v. p. 386. 


62 INTRODUCTION: 


. The above mock conference, as it is justly called, taught 
the puritans what to expect. The threatened storm soon 
overtook them. The persecuting prelates having received 
new life, presently renewed their tyrannical proceedings. 
Mr. Richard Rogers, of Wethersfield in Essex, a divine of 
incomparable worth, and six other ministers, were convened 
before the archbishop, and, refusing the oath ex officio, 
were all suspended. They were cited to appear before him 
a second time; but the archbishop died on the very day of 
their appearance. Whitgift, according to Fuller, was one 
of the worthiest men the church of England ever enjoyed.* 
Mr. Strype observes, that he was equal to both his 
cessors, Parker and Grindal, in right godly and episcopal 
endowments; and that great wisdom, courage, and gentle- 
sess accompanied all his orders.t He was, however, an 
unfeeling and a relentless persecutor,’ and extravagantly 
fond of outward splendour, usually travelling with a.most 
ificent retinue. t 

» Richard Bancroft having acquitted himself so much 
to the king’s satisfaction, in the conference at Hampton- 
court, was thought the fittest person to succeed Whitgift 
in the chair of Canterbury.s He trod in the steps of hi 
predecessor in all the iniquities of persecution. He entered 
upon the work where W hitgift concluded, and immediately 
convened Mr. rs and his brethren before him. - They 
endured continual molestations for a long time, havin 
many expensive journies to London. Mr. Rogers was ci 
also before the Bishop of London, who protested “ by the 
help of Jesus, that he would not leave one nonconformable 
minister in all his diocese ;” but his death soon after put 
an end to his career. Mr. Baynes, the excellent lecturer 
at Cambridge, was silenced, and his lecture put down. 
Dr. Taylor was suspended from his ministry. Mr. Hilder- 


\ 


# Charch Hist. b. x. p. 25. + Life of Parker, Pref. p. 5. 
' } His train sometimes consisted of 1000 horse. The archbishop being 
once at Dover, attended by five hundred horse, one hugdred of which 
were his own servants, many of them wearing chains of gold, a persva of 
distinction then arriving from Rome, greatly wondered to see an English 
archbishop with so splendid a retinue. But seeing him the followin. 
_ sabbath in the cathedral of Canterbury, attended by the above magnificent 
train, with the dean, prebendaries, and preachers, in their surplices and 
scarlet hoods; and hearing the music of or » cornets, and sacbuts, he 
was seized with admiration, and said, ‘‘ That the people at Rome were 
fed in blindness, being made to believe, that in En fond there was neither 
archbishop, nor bishop, nor cathedral, nor any ecclesiastical government g 
but that all were pulled down. But he protested, that unless it were in 
the pope's chapel, he never saw a more solemn sight, or heard a mo 
heavenly sound.’ — Paule’s Life of Whitgift, p. 104—108. - 

§ Granger’s Biog. Hist, vol. i, p. 340. 


ad 


INTRODUCTION. 63 


sham was suspended a third time for nonconformity ; and 
many others suffered the like extremity. 

Numerous congregations being deprived of their zealous 
and faithful pastors, the distr people presented a 
petition to the king, in behalf of their suffcring ministers ; 
which, because it was presented while his majesty was 
hunting, he was exceedingly displeased. The poor puritan 
ministers were Dow persecuted in every quarter, some of 
them being suspended, and others deprived of their livings.« 
And while the bishops were highly commended for suse 

nding ot deptiving all who could not conform, Sir 

ichard Knightly, "Se Valentine Knightly, Sir Edward 
Montague, and some others, presented a petition to the 
king in behalf of the suffering ministers in Northampton- 
shire; for which they were summoned before the council, 
and told, that what they had done “ tended to sedition, 
and was little less than treason.”"+ — | 

The king now issued two proclamations, intimating in 
the one, what regard he would have to the éexder consciences 
of the papists; but in the other, that he would not allow 
the least indulgence to the tender consciences of the puritans.} 
In his majesty’s long specch, at the opening of the first 
session of parliament, he said, “ I acknow the Roman 
“ church to be our mother church, although defiled with 
“¢ some infirmities and corruptions ;” and added, “I would 
<‘ for my own part be content to meet them in the mid- 
“way; but spoke with great indignation against the 
puritans, And many of the ministers still refusing to 
conform, the king issued another proclamation, dated July 
10, 1604, allowing them to consider of their conformity till 
the end of November following: but in case of their 
refusal, ‘he would have them all deprived, or banished out 
of the kingdom. | 

Most of the bishops and clergy in the convocation which 
sat with the above parliament, were very zealous against 
the puritans. Bishop Rudd was, indeed, a noble excep- 
tion. He spoke much in their praise, and ex the 
injustice and inhumanity of their persecutors. The book 
of canons passed both houses, and was afterwards ratified 
by the king’s letters patent, under his great seal.s By these 
canons, new hardships were laid upon the opp puri- 
tans. Suspensions and deprivations were now thought not 


* Winwood’s Memorials, vol. ii. p. 36, 48. + Ibid. p. 40. . 
¢ Rapin’s Hist. of Eng. vol. ii, p. 163. § Ibid. p. 165, 166. 
{] MS. Remarks, p. 563. <q Sparrow's ec. p. 263, 


6 INTRODUCTION. 
to 


be 2 sufficient punishment for the sim of noaconformity. 
The puritans received the terrible sentence of excommuni- 
turned out of the 2 entered 


rahe sucing for their lawful 
bara ada fat os pombe 
the i om of hea Archbish op'Bancroft now at now at 
observance 


Of all he feat vals of the church, the tse of copes, surplicee, 
oxps, hood, &c. and obliged the clergy to subscribe sfrcek 
to Whitgifts three articles, which, by canon xxxvi. they 
were to lare they did willingly and their hearts. 
By these ovpressive measures, rh ministers were 
suspended and cast out out of ti their livings ;+> some of whom 
were excommunicated and cast into prison, while others, 
to fo (preserve their consciences, were driven into a state of 


Oe mong, “the painful sufferers at this time, were Mr. 
Maunsel, minister of Yarmouth, and Mr. Lad, a merchant 
of the same place. For holding a supposed " conventicle, 

were cited before the high commission at Lambeth, 

» refusing the oath ex o 0, were cast into prison. 
When they were brought to the bar, Nicholas Fuller, esq. 
& bencher of Gray’s-inn, and a learned man in his profes- 
sion, was their counsel; who, for pleading their cause, was 
cast into prison, where he contin to the day of his death. 
Mr. Wotton and Mr. Cleaver, two learned and useful 
divines, were suspended for nonconformity. Mr. Rush 
fellow of Christ’s college, Cambridge, was convened and 
required to make a public Tecantation.. Mr. Randall Bates, 
® pious and excellent preacher, was committed to the Gate- 
house, where, after a long and miserable confinemeat, he 
died under the hardships of the prison. These severities 
drove many learned ministers and their followers out of the 
kingdom, when they retired to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, 
Leyden and other places: Among these were Dr. William 
Ames and Mr. Robert Parker, both divines of distinguished 

eminence. 

Indeed, Archbishop Bancroft incessantly harassed and 

Piagued agued the puritans, to bring them to an exact conformity. 


account of his rigorous proceedings, great numbers 


* Sion’s Plea, p. 75.—MS, Remarks, p. 585.——Some of our high-charch 
historians, it is acknowledged, have diminished the number to forty-five, 
others te vorty-nine, evidently with a design to remove the odiwn frem th 
persecuting prelates.— Heylin’s Hist. of Pres p. 316,--Spetisused’e 
of Scetiand, p. 419. Edit. 1677. y 


INTRODUCTION. 65 


resolved to transport themselves to Virginia, and ‘settle in 
that uncivilized country, where they could enjoy the 
blessing of religious liberty. Some having departed for 
the new settlement, and the archbishop seeitig many more 
ready for the voyage, obtained his majesty’s proclamation, 
forbidding them to depart without the king’s license. The 
arbitrary court was apprehensive this sect would in ihe end 
e too numerous and powerful in America.» The 

distressed puritans must not enjoy liberty of conscience 
at home, nor remove to another country, even amo 
uncivilized pagans, where they could enjoy it.—The hig 
commission, says Bishop Kennet, began now to swell into 
@ grievance, of which the parliament complained. Eve 
man must conform to the episcopal church, and quit his 
opinion or his safety. That court was the touch-stone, to 
try whether men were current, ‘ This,” he adds, “ was 
the beginning of that mischief, which made such a bloody 
tincture in both kingdoms, as neVer will be got out of the 
bishops’ lawn sleeves.’’+ 

The parliament, in 1610, was deeply concerned about 
ihese proceedings. In their petition to the king, they say, 
<¢ That divers painful and learned pastors, who have tong 
travelled in the work of the. ministry, with good fruit an 
blessing of their labours, who were ready to subscribe to 
the true christian faith and doctrine of sacraments, for not 
conforming in some points of ceremony, and refusing 
the subscription directed by the late canons, have been 
removed from their ecclesiastical livings, being their free- 
hold, and debarred from all means of maintenance, to the 
great grief of sundry of your majesty’s well-affected 
subjects.”} And ina memorable speech during this parlia- 
ment, it was said, “ The depriving, degrading, and 
imprisoning learned and godly ministers, whom God hath 
furnished with most heavenly graces, is the crying sin of 
the land, most provoking to God, and most grievous to the 
subjects.” A bill was, theretore, introduced against 
pluvalities and. nonresidence; another against canonical 
subscription ; a third against scandalous ministers ; a fourth 
against the oath ex officio ; and they all passed the commons. 
An address was also presented to the king, entitled “ An 
humble supplication for toleration and liberty to enjoy and 


* Rapin’s Hist. of Eng. vol. ii. p. 176. 
+ Kennet’s Hist. of Eng. vol. ii. p. 681; 682. 
¢ Galamy’s Church and Dissenters, p. 131. § Ibid. p. 187. 
] MS. Remarks, p. 629. 
VOL. I. FP 


66 INTRODUCTION. 


observe the ordinances of Jesus Christ in the ministration 
of his churches, in lieu of human constitutions.” It was 
published by those who apprehended the church of England 
to be fast approaching towards the church of Rome.« But 
all these endeavours proved ineffectual to obtain a further 
reformation of the church.+ Archbishop Bancroft died , 
November 10, 1610, and was succeeded by Dr. George 


Abbot, an avowed enemy to-all the superstitions of 5 
King James, to shew bis zeal against heresy, now 


an opportunity of exercising it upon two of his own 
subjects ; who, in the year 1611, were burnt alive for.their 
heretical opinions. One was Bartholomew Legatt, a native 
of the county of Essex. He was a man of a bold spirit, a 
fluent tongue, well skilled in the scriptures, and of an 
unblameable conversation. He denied the divinity of 
Christ, and a plurality of persons in the Godhead. The 
king himself, and several of the bishops, conferred with 
him, and endeavoured to convince him of his errors.§ 
Having continued a long time prisoner in Newgate, he was 
at length brought before the king, many of the bishops, and 
many learned divines, in the consistory of St. Paul’s; where 
he was declared a contumacious and obdurate heretic, and 
delivered over to the secular power. The king having 
signed a writ de heretico comburendo to the sherifts of 
London, he was carried to Smithfield, March 18, and, before 
an immense number of spectators, was burnt to ashes. 
Pardon was offered him at the stake if he would have 
recanted, but he firmly refused.| 

Mr. Edward Whiteman of Burton-upon-Trent, was, at 


* MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 619. (2.) 

+ The puritans were now oppressed by every means that could be 
devised. Mrs. Venables, a lady of great liberality and exemplary aay 
being deeply concerned for the numerous persecuted servants of 
bequeathed in her last will £5000, to be distributed among the suffering 
nonconformist ministers. This was no sooner known at court, than the 
money was seized, and given to such ministers as were conformable. Sach 
was the fraud and barbarity of the times ! !— 2S. Remarks, p. 585. 

¢ Bishop Kennet styles Archbishop Bancroft ‘‘a sturdy piece,’’ and 
says, ‘* he proceeded with rigour, severity and wrath, against the puritans.” 
—Kennet’s Hist. of Eng. vol. ii. p. 665. 

§ The attempt of the king to convince Legatt having utterly failed, he 
arose in a passion from his chair, and, giving hima kick with his royal foot, 
said: ‘* Away, base fellow, it shall never be said, that one stayeth in m 
presence, that hath never prayed to our Saviour for seven years.”’— Fuller's 
Church Hist. b. x. p. 62. 

{| He had a brother, called Thomas Legatt, who, at the same time, for 
holding certain heretical opinions, as they are called, was committed to 
Newgate, where he died under the pressures of his configement.—Jesapp’s 
Discovery of Anabaptists, p.21. Edit, 1623. 


= 


INTRODUCTION. 62 


the same time, convicted of heresy by Dr. Neile, bishop of 
Coventry and Lichfield, and burnt at Lichficld, April 11. 
In the king’s warrant for his execution, he is charged with 
no less than sixteen distinct heresies, among which are those 
_ of the Ebionites, Corinthians, Arians, and Anabaptists, and 
other heretical, execrable, and unheard-of opinions. Some 
of the opinions imputed to him savoured of vanity, super- 
stition, and enthusiasm; and he was certainly an object 
more deserving of compassion than of punishment.*. But, _ 
to gratify: the wishes of his enemies, he must pass through 
the fire.—There was another condemned to be burnt fo 
similar heresies ; but the constancy of the above sufferers 
having greatly moved the pity of the spectators, he was left 
to linger out a miserable lite in Newgate.+ ; 
Many of the puritans being driven into exile, continued 
@ number of years in a foreign land. They raised congre- 
gations and formed christian churches, according to their 
views of the New Testament. _Mr. John Robinson, pastoy 
of the church at Leyden, first struck out the congregationa] 
or independent form of church government. terwards, 
about a hundred of his church transplanted themselves to 
America, and laid the foundation of the colony of New 
England. But some of the worthy exiles ventured at length 
to return home. Mr. Henry Jacob having espoused the 
sentiments of the independents, returned about the year 
1616; and communicating to his friends his design of 
forming a separate church, like those in Holland, they, 
seeing no prospect of any reformation of the national church, 
signified their approbation. They spent.aday in solemn 
devotion, to implore the divine blessing upon the under. - 
taking ; and having made an open confession of their faith 
in Christ, they joined hands, and convenanted with each 
other to walk together in all the ordinances of God, as far 
as he had already made known to them, or should hereafter 
make known tothem. Mr. Jacob was chosen pastor by the 
suffrage of the brotherhood, and others to the office of 
deacons. This was the first 1NDEPENDENT church in 
England. | 
During this year, his majesty, by the advice of the 
bishops, issued his royal directions for a better conformity 
to the established church. He required ‘* That all.students 
who took their degrees, should subscribe to the thirty-sixth 
canon.—That all scholars should wear their scholastical 


* Narration of the burning of Legatt and Whiteman, Edit. 1651. 
¢ Fuller’s Church Hist. b. x. p. 62—64. 


68 INTRODUCTION. 


habits.—That no one be allowed to preach without perfeet 
conformity.—And that no preacher shall maintain any point 
of doctrine not allowed by the church of England.’ 
The distressed puritans felt the iron rod of their cruel 
rsecutors in various parts of the couritry. Messrs. Ball, 
icholls, Paget, and many others, in the diocese of Chester, 
were often cited before the high commission, when attach- 
_ ments were issued to apprehend them, and commit them 
to prison. They were obliged to conceal themselves, and 
heavy fines were laid upon them for their nonappearance, 
and were aggravated from one court day to another; til 
their case was returned into the exchequer, when, to their 
unspeakable injury, they were obliged to compound. Mr. 
Bradshaw had his house searched by the bishops’ pursui- 
vants, and he was suspended. Mr. John Wilkingo n was 
several times spoiled of his goods, and kept many years in 
prison by the furious prelates. Mr. Hildersham was 
suspended a fourth and a fifth time. He was afterwards 
summoned before the high commission, and, refusing the 
oath ex officio, committed first to the Fleet, then to the 
King’s-bench, where he continued a long time. Having 
obtained his liberty, he was censured in the ecclesiastical 
court, upon the most glaring false witness, and fined 2,000, 
pronounced excommunicate, degraded from his ministry, 
ordered to be taken and cast into prison, required to make 
a public recantation in such form as the court should 
appoint, and condemned in costs of suit. His two friends, 
r. Dighton and Mr. Holt, being committed, one to the 
Fleet, the other to the Gatehouse, were fined £10,000 
each, excommunicated, ordered to be publicly denounced, 
to make their submission in three different places, con. 
demned in costs of suit, and sent back to prison. The 
learned Mr. John Selden, for publishing his “ History of 
Tithes,” was summoned before the high commission, and 
obliged to sign a recantation.+ 
o prevent the growth of puritanism, the king, in the 
year 1618, published his “‘ Declaration for Sports on the 
Lord’s-day,”” commonly called the Book of Sports. It 
was procured by the bishops, and all ministers were enjoined 
to approve of it, and read it in the public congregations ; and 
those who refused were brought into the high commission, 


* Heylin’s Life of Land, p. 72. 

+ Mr. Selden was justly denominated the glory of England for his un- 
common learning. Archbishop Usher used to say, ‘* Iam not worthy to 
carry bis books after him.”’ . 


‘ 


INTRODUCTION. - 69 
suspended and imprisoned. “ It was designed,” says 


Bishop Kennet, “as a trap to catch men of tender con- 
sciences, and as a means of promoting the ease, wealth and 
grandeur of the bishops.”’+ } 

‘ The king, at the opening of the parliament in 1620, made 


this solemn declaration : “ J mean,” said he, “ not to compel 


any man’s conscience ; for I ever protested against u.+ But 
his majesty soon forgot his own declaration ; and to increase 
the distress of the puritans, he set forth his directions to all 
the clergy, forbidding them to preach on the deep points of 
controversy betwixt the Arminians and Calvinists. The 


puritans had hitherto suffered only for refusing the ceremo- 


nies, but now their doctrine itself became an offence. . Most 
Calvinists were now excluded from court preferments. The 
way to rise in the church, was to preach up the absolute 
power of the king, to declaim against the rigours of Cal- 
vinism, and to speak favourably of popery. Those who 
scrupled were neglected, and denominated doctrinal puri- 
tans ; but having withstood all the arbitrary proceedings 
adopted both in church and state, they will be esteemed by 
posterity, as the glory of the English nation. 

Many of the puritans now groaned under the oppressive 
measures of the prelates. Mr. Collins was cast into prison 
for nonconformity. Though he was'‘not suffered to preach 
in the churches, he preached to the malefactors in prison, 
and there procured himself a subsistence by correcting the 
press.§ Mr. Knight of Pembroke college, Oxford, was cited 
up to London, and committed to the Gatehouse. Mr. Peck 
having catechised his family, and sung a psalm in his own 
house, when several of his neighbours were present, they 


were all required by Bishop Harsnet to do penance and 


recant. Those who reftised were immediately excommu- 
nicated and condemned in heavy costs. The citizens of 
Norwich afterwards complained of this cruel oppression to 
parliament. The celebrated Mr. Dod was often cited before 
the bishops, and was four times suspended. Mr. Whately 
was convened before the high commission, and required to 
make a public recantation. Mr. Whiting was prosecuted 
by the Bishop of Norwich, and brought before the high 


_ commission, expecting to be deprived of considerable 


‘* Beveral of the bishops, however, declared their opinion against the 
Book of Sports. And Archbishop Abbot being at Croydon the day on 


' which it was ordered to be read in the churches, expressly forbad it to be 


read there.—Kennet’s Hist. of Eng. vol. ii. p. 709. 
+ MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 667.(13.) Neal’s Puritans, vol. ii. p. 128. 
3 Wood's Atbene Oxon, vol. ii. p. 194. 


“ 


70 | INTRODUCTION. 


estates; but, happily, while the cause was pencling , King 
James died, an the presecution was dropped. king 
finished his course March 27, 1625, not without suspicion 
of having been poisoned by the Duke of Buckingham.* He 
Was a mere pedant, without Judgment, courage, or steadi- 
ness, being the very scorn of the age. His reign was a 


‘continued course of mean practices.t He invaded the 


liberties of his subjects; endangered the religion of his 
country ; was ever grasping at arbitrary power ;{ and, in a 
word, liberty of conscience was totally suppressed.§ § 


—— ee 


Sect. IV. 


From the Death of King James I. to the Death of 
King Charles I. 


When King Caartes came to the crown, he was at first 
thought favourable to puritanism. -His tutor, and all his 
court, were puritanically inclined. Dr. Preston, one of the 
leading puritans, came in a coach to London with the King 
and the Duke of Buckingham, which gave great offence to 
the contrary pany: His majesty was so overcharged with 
prief for the death of his father, that he wanted the comfort 
of so wise and greata man.t The puritans, however, soon 
found that no favour was to be expected. The unjust and 
inhuman proceedings of the couNCIL-TABLE, the sTAR- 
CHAMBER, and the HIGH CoMMIssION, during this reign, 


* Harris’s Life of James I. p. 237. Edit. 1753. 

+ Burnet’s Hist. of his Times, vol. i. p. 17. 

+ Bennet’s-Mem. of Reformation, p. 147. 

§ Hume’s Hist. of Eng. vol. vi. p.116.—|| Bishop Laud observes of 


‘James, that the sweetness of his nature was scarcely to be paralleled, and 


little less than a miracle. Clemency, mercy, justice, and peace, were all 
eminent in him; and he was the most learned and religious prince that 
England ever knew. Qn the contrary, the learned Mosheim affirms, ‘* that 
“¢ as the desire of unlimited power and authority was the reigning passion 
“* in the heart of this monarch, so all his measures, whether of a civil or 
“* ecclesiastical nature, were calculated to answer the purposes of his 
*‘ ambition. He was the bitterest enemy of the doctrine and discipline of 
*< the puritans, to which he had been in his youth most warmly attached 3 
** the most inflexible and ardent patron of the Arminians, in whose ruin 
*¢ and condemnation in Holland he had been singularly instrumental; and 
“¢ the most zealous defender of episcopal government, against which he had 
*¢ more than once expressed himself in the strongest terms.” Though he 
Was no papist, he was certainly very much inclined to popery, and ‘‘ was 
** excessively addicted to hunting and drinking.” —Breviate of Laud, p- 5. 
~ Mosheim’s Eccl. Hist, vol. v. p. 385, 391, 392.—Harris’s Life of James 2. 
P. 409, 00. ’ 

@ Burnet’s Hist. of his Time, vol. i. p- 19. m4 


INTRODUCTION. 71 


are unparalleled.. The two former were become courts of 
law, to determine matters of right; and courts of revenue, to 
bring money into the treasury. The council-table, by pro- 
clamations, enjoined upon the people what was not: enjoined 
by law; and the star-chamber punished the disobedience of 
those proclamations by heavy fines and imprisonment, 
The exorbitances of this court were such, that there were 
very few persons of quality who did not suffer more or-less, 
by the weight of its censures and judgments. And the high 
commission became justly odious, not only by meddling 
‘with things not within its cognizance, but by extending its 
sentences and judgments to a degree that was unjustifiable, 
and by treating the common law, and the professors of it, 
with great contempt. From an ecclesiastical court for the 
. ‘reformation of manners, it became a court of revenue, im- 
posing heavy fines upon the subjects.* 

These courts made strange havoc among the puritans, 
detaining them long in prison, without bringing them to 
trial, or acquainting them with the cause of their commit- 
ment. ‘Their proceedings were, in some respects, worse 
than the Romish Inquisition; because they suspendod, 
degraded, excommunicated, and imprisoned multitudes of 
learned and pious ministers, without the breach of any 
established law. While the heaviest penaltics were 
inflicted upon the protestant nonconformists, the papists 
lived without molestation. Indeed, the king gave express 
orders “ To forbear all manner of proccedings against 
Roman catholics, and that all pains and penaltics to which 
they were liable, should cease.’’+ ’ 

The Arminian tenets, warmly supported by Bishop Laud 
and his brethren, now began rapidly to gain ground. The 
points of controversy became so much the subject of public 
discussion, that the king issued his royal proclamation, 
_ threatening to proceed against all who should maintain any 
new opinions, contrary to the doctrines as by law esta- 
blished. Though this proclamation appearcd to be in 
favour of the Calvinists, the execution of it being in the 
hands of Laud and his brethren, it was turned against them, 
and made use of to silence them; while it gave an uncon- 
trouled liberty to the tongues and pens of the Arminians.t 
Many were, indeed, of opinion, that Bishops Laud and 
Neile procured this injunction on purpose to oppress the 


* Clarendon’s History, vol. i. p. 68, 69, 222, 283. 
+ Rushworth’s Collections, vol. i. p. 173. 
¢ Ibid. p. 416, 417. | 


72 INTRODUCTION. 


Calvinists, who should venture to break it, while they 
should connive at the disobedience of the contrary party. 
it is certain, the Calvinists were prosecuted for disobey; 
the proclamation, while the Arminians were tolerated 
countenanced.« The puritans, who wrote in defence of 
the received doctrines of the thirty-nine articles, were cen- . 
sured in the high commission, and their books suppressed ; 
and when they ventured to preach or dispute upon those 
points, they were suspended, imprisoned, forced to recant, 


or banished to a foreign land.+ 
The king now an arbitrary power, much more 
extensive than any of his predecessors. Henry VIII. did 


what he pleased by the use of parliament; but Charles 
evidently designed to rule without parliament. To con- 
vince the people that it was their duty to submit to a 
monarch of such principles, the clergy were employed to 
preach up the doctrine of passive obedience and non- 
resistance. Dr. Manwaring preaching before his majesty, 
said, “‘ The king is not bound to observe the laws of 
“ the realm, concerning the subject’s rights and liberties, 
«¢ but that his royal will and pleasure, in imposing taxes 
“¢ without consent of parliament, doth oblige the subject's 
*¢ conscience on pain of eternal damnation.’’s 

The church being governed by similar arbitrary and 
illegal methods, it was easy to foresee what the noncon- 
formists had to expect. They were exceedingly harassed 
and persecuted in every corner of the land. In the year 
1626, Mr. Brewer was censured in the high commission, 
and committed to prison, where he continued fourteen 
years. Mr. Smart, prebend of Durham, was many times 
convened before his ecclesiastical judges; then sent to the 
high commission at York, and kept a prisoner nine 
months. He was next sent to the high commission at Lam- 
beth; then returned to York, fined £500, and ordered to 
recant; for refusing which, he was fined a second time, 
excommunicated, deprived, degraded, and committed to 
prison, where he remained eleven or twelve years, suffering 


* Rapin’s Hist. vol. it. p. 258. 
+ Prynne’s Canterburies Doome, p. 161. 
t Rapin’s Hist, vol. ii: p. 259. 

'§ Manwaring, for this sermon, was sentenced by the house of lords te 
pay a fine of a thousand pounds, to make a public submission at the bar 
of both houses, to be imprisoned during the pleasure of the lords, and 
declared incapable of holding any ecclesiastical dignity : nevertheless, he 
was 80 much a court favourite, he obtained the king’s pardon, with a good 
benefice, and afterwards a bishopric.-Zbid, = ° 


INTRODUCTION. 73 


immense damages. These severities were inflicted by the 
instigation of Laud, soon after made pishop of London, 
and prime minister to his majesty.» This furious prelate 
was no sooner exalted, than he made strange havoc among © 
the churches. Agreeable to the king’s injunctions, many 
_ excellent lecturers were put down, and such as preached 
against Arminianism or the Popish ceremonies, were 
suspended ; among whom were Drs. Stoughton, Sibbs, 
Taylor, and Gouge, with Messrs. White of Dorchester, 
Rogers of Dedham, Rogers of Wethersfield, Hooker of 
Chelmsford, White of Knightsbridge, Archer, Edwards, 
Jones, Ward, Saunders, Salisbury, Foxley, William 
Martin, and James Gardiner.t Mr. Henry Burton was . 
brought before the council-table, and the high commission. 
He was afterwards apprehended by a pursuivant, then 
suspended and committed to the Fleet. Mr. Nathaniel 
Bernard was suspended, excommunicated, fined 1,000, 
condemned in costs of suit, and committed to New Prison, 
where he was treated with great barbarity; and refusing to 
make a public recantation, after languishing a long time, 
he died through the rigour of his confinement. But the 
unparalleled cruelty of this prelate most appeared in the . 
terrible sentence inflicted upon Dr. Alexander Leighton. 
He was seized by a warrant from the high commission ; 
dragged before Bishop Laud; then, without examination, 
carried to Newgate, where he was treated a long time with 
unexampled barbarity. When brought to trial before 
that arbitrary court, the furious prelate desired the court 
to inflict the heaviest sentence that could be inflicted upon 
him. He was, therefore, condemned to be degraded from 
his ministry, to have his ears cut, his nose slit, to be 
branded in the face, whipped at a post, to stand in the 
pillory, to pay £10,000, and to suffer perpetual imprison- 
ment. This horrible sentence being pronounced, Laud 
pulled off his hat; and holding up his hands, gave thanks 
to God, who had given him the victory over his enemies.t 
During these cruel proceedings, Mr. Palmer and Mr. 
Udney, two lecturers in Kent, were silenced. Mr. Angier 
‘was suspended. Mr. Huntley was grievously censured 
in the high commission, and committed to prison, where 
he continued a long time. Mr. John Workman was 


* Prynne’s Cant. Doome, p. 78. + Ibid. p. 362, 873. 

¢ For an account of the barbarous execution of this shocking sentence, 
see Art. Leighton. 

§ Calamy’s Account, vol. ii. p. $05. 


74 INTRODUCTION. 


suspended, excommunicated, condemned in costs of suit, 
cast into prison, and obliged to make a public recantation at 
three different places. r. Crowder was committed close 
prisoner to Newgate for sixteen weeks, then deprived of 
is living, without there being any charge, witness, or 
other proof brought against him. Many others were Pro- 
secuted and deprived. Bishop Laud being made chan- 
cellor of Oxford, carried his severities to the university. 
IIe caused Mr. Hill to make a public recantation; Messrs. 
Ford, Thorne, and Hodges to be expelled from the univer- 
sity ; the proctors to be deprived for receiving their appeal ; 
and Drs. Prideaux and Wilkinson to be sharply admo- 
nished. Mr. William Hobbs, fellow of Trinity college, 
having preached against falling from grace; and Mr. 
Thomas Cook of Brazen-nose college, having in his Latin 
sermon used certain expressions against the Arminians, they 
were both enjoined public recantations. Dr. Prideaux, Dr. 
- Burgess, Mr. White, Mr. Madye, with some others, suffered 
on the same account.+ | : 
_ By the unfeeling persecutions of the bishops, ‘the puri- 
tans were driven from one diocese to another, and many 
of them obliged to leave the kingdom, and seek their bread 
in a foreign land. Messrs. Higginson, Skelton, Wil- 
liams, Wilson, Wheelwright, Philips, Lathorp, Hooker, 
Stone, Cotton, with many others, fled to New England. 
Many of these divines, previous to their departure, were 
harassed, prosecuted, and cruelly censured by the ruling 
prelates. . 

The distressed puritans who remained at home, pre- 
sented a petition to his majesty, in which they say, “‘ We 
are not a little discouraged anti deterred from preachin 
those saving doctrines of God’s free grace in election an 
predestination which greatly confirm our faith of eternal 
salvation, and fervently kindle our love to God, as the 
seventcenth article expressly mentioneth. So we are 
brought into great strait, either of incurring God’s heavy 
displeasure if we do not faithfully discharge our embassage, 
in declaring the whole council of God; or the danger of 
being censured as violaters of your majesty’s acts, if we 


'’ preach these constant doctrines of our church, and confute 


the opposite Pelagian and Arminian heresies, both boldly 
preached and printed without the least censure.”{ This 


* Wharton’s Troubles of Laud, vol. i. p. 519. 
‘+ Prynne’s Cant. Doome, p. 173, 176.—Rushworth’s Collec. vol, ii 
p- 283. ¢ Prynne’s Cant. Doome, p. 165. 


/ 


_ INTRODUCTION. en 


appears, however, to have been followed with no good 
ect. By silencing so many learned and useful ministers, 
there was a great scarcity of preachers, and a famine of — 
the word of God in every corner of the land ; while i 
rance, superstition, profaneness, and popery, every where 
increased.* 

The sufferings of the people for want of the bread of 
life continually increasing, a number of ministers and 
gentlemen formed a scheme to promote preaching in the 
country, by setting. 1p lectures in the different market 
towns. To defray the expence, a sum of money was 
raised by voluntary contribution, for purchasing such 
impropriations as were in the hands of the laity, the profits 
of which were to be divided into salaries of forty or fifty 
pounds a year, for the support of the lecturers. The 
money was deposited in the hands of the following persons, 
as FEOFFEES: Dr. George, Dr. Sibbs, Dr. Offspring, and 
Mr. Davenport, of the clergy; Ralph Eyre, Simon Brown, 
C. Sherland, and John White, esqrs.; and Messrs. Joha 
Gearing, Richard Davis, George Harwood, and Francis 
Bridges, citizens of London. Most people thought ‘the 
design was very laudable, and wished them good success ; 
but Bishop Laud:4ooking upon the undertaking with an 
evil and a jealous eye, as if it was likely to become the great 
nursery of puritanism, applied to the king, and obtained 
an information against all the feoffees in the exchequer. 
The feoffment was, therefore, cancelled, their proceedi 
declared illegal, the impropriations already purch 
amounting to five or six thousand pounds, wete confiscated 
to the king, and the feoffees themselves fined in the star- 
chamber.+ 

If the persecuted’ puritans at any time ventured to except 
against the proceedings of this fiery prelate, they were 
sure to feel his indignation. Mr. Hayden having spoken 
against them from the pulpit, was driven out of the diocese 
of Exeter, but afterwards apprehended by Bishop Harsnet, 
who took from him his horse, his money, and all his papers, 
and caused him to be shut up in close prison for thirteen 
weeks. His lordship then sent him to the high commission, 
when he was deprived, degraded, and fined, for having 
preached against superstitious decorations and images in 
churches. Mr. Hayden venturing afterwards to preach 
occasionally, was again apprehended by Bishop Laud, 


» Pryane’s Cent. Doome, p. $85. + Ibid. p. 385—387. 


76 INTRODUCTION. 


who sent him first to the Gatehouse, then to Bridewell, where 
he was whipped and kept to hard labour; then confined 
in a cold dark hole during the whole of winter, being 
chained to a post in the middle of the room, with irons on 
his hands and feet, having no other food than bread and 
water, and a of straw to lie on. Before his release, 
he was obliged to take an oath, and give bond, to preach 
no more, but depart from the kingdom, and never return. 
Henry Shirfield, esq. a bencher of Lincoln’s-inn, and 
recorder of Salisbury, was tried in the star-chamber, for . 
taking down some painted glass from one of the windows 
of St. Edmund's church, Salisbury. These pictures were 
extremely ridiculous and superstitious.» The taking down 
of the glass was agreed upon at a vestry, when six justices 
of the peace were present. ‘Towards the close of his trial, 
Bishop Laud stood up, and moved the court, that Mr. 
‘ Shirfield might be fined 1,000, removed from his recorder- . 
ship, committed to the Fleet till he paid the fine, and then 
bound to his good behaviour. The whole of this heavy 
sentence was inflicted upon him, excepting that the fine 
was mitigated to €500.+ | 

In the year 1633, upon the death of Archbishop Abbot, 
Laud was made Archbishop of Canterbury; when he and 
several of his brethren renewed their zeal in the ution 
of the puritans.; Numerous lecturers were. silenced, and 
their lectures put down. Mr. Rathband and Mr. Blackerby, 
two most excellent divines, were often silenced, and driven 
from one place to another. Mr. John Budle, rector of 
Barnston, and Mr. Throgmorton, vicar of Mawling, were 

rosecuted in the high commission.; Mr. Alder and Mr. 

essey were both silenced, the latter for not observing the 
_ ceremonies, and removing a crucifix.| Mr. John Vincent 
was continually harassed for nonconformity. He was se 
driven from place to place, that though he had many 


* There were in this window seven pictures of God the Father iv the 
form of little old men, in a blue and red coat, with a pouch by his side. 
One of them represented him creating the sun and woon with a pair of 
compasses ; others as working upon the six days creation; and at last as 
sitting in an elbow chair at rest. Many of the people, upon their going in 
and out of the charch, did reverence to this window, because, as they 
said, the Lord their God was there.— Prynne’s Cant. Doome, p. 102. 

+ Ibid. p. 103.—Rushworth’s Collec. vol. ii. p. 153—-156. 

t Archbishop Abbot, who succeeded Bancroft, is said to have imitated 
the moderation of Whitgift ;.and that Laud, who succeeded Abbot, imi 
tated the wrath of Bancroft.—Kennet’s Hist. of Eng. vol. ii. p. 665, note, 

; Wharton’s Troubles of Laad, vol, i, p. 526—529. 

Calamy’s Contin. vol,i. p. 46. 


INTRODUCTION. 17 


children, not two of them were born in the same county. 
Messrs. Angel, Buckley, Saunders, Bridges, Roberts, Erbery, 
Cradock, Newport, and others, were suspended, and some | 
of them driven out of the country.* Mr. John Carter was 
censured by Bishop Wren, but death soon after delivered 
him from all -his troubles. Messrs. Peters, Davenport, 
Nye,+ and others, to escape the fury of the storm, fled to 
Holland. Mr. Peters, previous to his departure, was ap- 
prehended by Archbishop Laud, suspended, and committed 
for some time to New Prison. Many others were driven 
to New England, among whom were Messrs. Norton, 
Burr, Shepard, Sherman, and Nathaniel Ward, who was 
deprived and excommunicated by the archbishop. 

uring this year the king, by the recommendation of 
Laud, republished the ‘“‘ Book of Sports,” for the encou- 
ragement of recreations and pastimes on the Lord’s day. 
This opened a flood-gate to all manner of licentiousness, 
and became the instrument of unspeakable oppression to 
great numbers of his majesty’s best subjects. The ruling 
prelates, though unauthorized by law, required the clergy 
to read it before the public congregation. This the puritans 
refused ; for which they felt the iron rod of their tyrannical 
oppressors. Dr. Staunton, Mr. Chauncey, and Mr. Thomas, 
for refusing to read the book, were suspended.t Mr. 
Fairclough was often cited into the ecclesiastical courts. 
Mr. Tookie was turned out of his living. Mr. Cooper was 
suspended, and continued under the ecclesiastical censure 
seven years. Mr. Sanger was imprisoned at Salisbury. 
Mr. Moreland, rector of Hamsted-Marshall in Berkshire, 
was suspended and deprived of his living. Mr. Snelling 
was suspended, deprived, excommunicated, and cast into 
prison, where he continued till the meeting of the long 
parliament. Dr. Chambers was silenced, sequestered, and 
cast into prison.|| Messrs. Culmer, Player, and Hieron 
being suspended, waited upon the archbishop, jointly 
requesting absolution from the unjust censure; when his 
grace said, ‘ If you know not how to obey, I know not 
how to grant your favour,” and dismissed them from his 
presence. Mr. Wilson was suspended from his office and 
benefice, and afterwards prosecuted in the high commission. 
Mr. Wroth and Mr. Erbery from Wales, Mr. Jones from 


* Wharton’s Troubles of Laud, vol. i. §. 582, 583. 

+ Calamy’s Account, vol. ii. p. 29. 

¢ Clark’s Lives, last vol. part i. p. 162. & MS, Remarks, p. 908. 
{} Calamy’s Account and Contia. 


73 INTRODUCTION. 


Gloucestershire, Mr. Whitfield of Ockham, Mr. Garth of 
Woversh, Mr. Ward of Pepper-Harrow, Mr. Farrol of Pur- 
bright, Mr. Pegges of Weeford, and Mr. Thomas Valentine, — 
minister of Chaltont St. Giles, with many others, were brought 
from various parts of the country, and prosecuted in the 
high commission.* Mr. Edmund Calamy, Mr..William 
Bridge, Mr. Thomas Allen, and about thirty other worthy 
ministers, for refusing to read the book and observe Bishop | 
Wren’s articles, were driven out of the diocese.+ And 
Laud, at the same time, caused upwards of twenty ministers 
to be fined and expelled from their livings, for not bowing 
at the name of Jesus.t 
Towards the close of this year, William Prynne, esq. a 
member of Lincoln’s-inn, having published a book, entitled 
«© Histrio-mastix; or, the Play’s Scourge,” exposing the 
evil of plays, masquerades, &c..was sentenced to have his 
book burnt by the common hangman, to be put from the 
bar, to be for ever incapable of his profession, to be tamed 
out of the society of Lincoln’s-inn, to be degraded at 
Oxford, to stand in the pillory at Westminster and Cheap- 
side, to lose both his ears, one in each place, to pay a fine 
of five thousand pounds, and to suffer perpetual imprison- 
ment. Dr. Bastwick, a physician of Colchester, having 
published a book, entitled Elenchus reltgionis, papistice, 
with an appendix, called Flagellum pontificis and episco- 
Latialium, so greatly offended the prelates, by 
denying the divine right of bishops above that of presby- 
ters, that by the high commission, he was discarded from 
his profession, excommunicated, fined one thousand pounds, 
and imprisoned till he should recant. And Mr. Burton 
having published two sermons against the late innovations, 
entitled ‘‘ For God and the King,” had his house and 
study broken open-by a serjeant at arms, and his books and 
papers carried away. He was then suspended, and com- 
mitted close prisoner to the Fleet, where he remained a 
time. 
hese terrible proceedings made many conscientious non- 
conformists retire, with their families, to Holland and New 
England. Mr. Thomas Goodwin, Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs, 
Mr. William Bridge, Mr. Sydrach Sympson, Mr..Julines 
Herring, Mr. Samuel Ward, and many others, having 


* Prynne’s Cant-Doome, p. 149, 151, 882. 

+ Calamy’s Account, vol. ii. p. 5, 476. 

; Huntley’s Prelates’ Usurpations, p. 168. . ; 
Rushworth’s Collec. vol. ii. p. 233. , ° 


INTRODUCTION. — 79 


endured the cruel oppressions of the prelates, went to Holland. 
Mr. Herring had been driven from his flock, and several 
times suspended. Mr. Ward had been suspended, required 
to recant, condemned in costs of suit, and cast into prison, 
where he had remained a long time. And Messrs. er, 
Bulkley, Hobert, Symes, Whitfield, Rogers, Partridge, 
Whiting, Knollys, and Chauncey, withdrew from:the storm, 
and fled to New England. This was no rash adventure. 
They suffered many hardships by suspension and imprison- 
ment, previous to their departure. Mr. Chauncey was twice 
prosecuted by the high commission, suspended from his 
ministry, cast into prison, condemnéd in costs of suit, and | 
obliged to make a recantation. 
While these fled from the storm, others continued to 
endure the painful conflict. Dr. Stoughton, rector of 
/Aldermanbury, London; Mr. Andrew Moline, curate of 
St. Swithin’s; Mr. John Goodwin, vicar of St. Stephen’s, 
Coiman-street; and Mr. Viner of St. Lawrence, Old 
Jewry, were prosecuted for breach of canons. Mr. Turner. 
and: Mr. Lindall, with some others, were censured in the 
high commission. Mr. John Wood, formerly censured 
in the high commission, and Mr. Sparrowhawke of St. 
Mary’s, Woolnoth, were both suspended for preaching 
against bowing at the name of Jesus. Dr. Cornelius 
Burgess and Mr. Wharton suffered in the high commis- 
sion. Mr. Matthews, rector of Penmayn, was suspended. 
by his diocesan, for preaching against the observance of 
popish holidays.» Mr. Styles was prosecuted in the 
ecclesiastical court at York, for omitting the. cross in 
baptism. Mr. Leigh, one of the prebendaries of Lichfield, 
was suspended for churching refractory women in private, 
for being averse to the good orders of the church, and for 
ordering the bell-man to give notice in open market of a 
sermon. Mr. Kendal of Tuddington, was suspended for 
preaching a sermon aboye an, hour long, on a sabbath 
atternoon. Dr. Jenningson of Newcastle, was prosecuted 
in the high commission, and forced to quit the kingdom, 
to escape the fury of Laud. Mr. John Jemmet of Berwick, 
was apprehended by a pursuivant, suspended from the 
sacred function, and banished from the town, without any 
article or witness being brought against him; and above. 
twenty other ministers were suspended for nonconformity.+ 
Mr. John Evans was sent to the Gatehouse; Mr. John 


* Wharton's Troubles of Laud, vol. i. p. 585--544,. 
+ Pryane’s Cant. Doome, p. 381, 382, 450. 


80 INTRODUCTION. 


Vicars was apprehended by a pursuivant, cast into prisony 
fined, and deprived of his living; and Mr. George Walker 
was prosecuted in the star-chamber, sequestered, and cast 
into prison, where he remained till the mecting of the long 
parliament. 

Dr. Pierce, bishop of Bath and Wells, at the same time 
persecuted the nonconformists without mercy. He drove 
all the lecturers vut of his diocese, and put down their 
lectures, as factions, and nurseries of puritanism. Upon a 
reflection on what he had done, he said, * I thank af 
have not one lecturer left in my diocese,” hating the very 
name. He suspended Mr. Davenish of Bridgewater, for 
preaching a lecture in his own church on a market-day ; 
and having absolved him upon his promise to preach no 
more, he said, Go thy way, and sin no more, lest a worse 
thing befal thee. He suspended Mr. Cornish for preaching 
a funeral sermon in the evening; and he questioned Mr. 
Thomas Erford for preaching on a revel-day, saying ‘¢ his 
text was scandalous to the revel.”” He sharply reprimanded 
other ministers for explaining the questions and answers in 
the catechism, and said, “ That was as bad as preaching.” 
For this practice he enjoined Mr. Barret, rector of Barwick, 
to do public penance. Dr. Conant, rector of Limington, 
received much molestation from this prelate.t Mr. Richard 
Allein, fifty years minister of Dichiat, endured great 
sufferings under him. And Dr. Chambers was silen 
sequestered, and cast into prison, being harassed seve 
years.t 

Bishop Wren of Norwich, having ordered the commu- 
nion tables in his diocese to be turned into altars, fencing 
them about with rails, many of the people, to avoid super- 
stition and idolatry, refused to kneel before them. Aad 
though they presented themselves on their knees in the 
chancel, they werc refused the communion; and afterwards, 
for not receiving it, they were excommunicated by this 
prelate. His lordship had no mercy on the puritans, He 
suspended, deprived, excommunicated,} or came 
sured no less than fifty able and pious ministers, to the ruin 
of themselves, their wives, and their children, As x 


I 
* Prynne’s Cant. Doome, p. 311, 378. ; 
+ Palmer’s Noncon. Mem. vol. |. p. 390. 
Calamy’s Agcoont, vol, ti. p. 164. a 
Nalson's Collections, vol. &. p. 999. — 
| A minister’s son was excommunicate | 
A ately who had been excomasumie« 
p. 181. 


INFRODUCTION. 81 


number were Messrs. William Leigh, Richard Prou 
Jonathan Burr, Matthew Browning, W illiam Powell, Richarc 
Raymund, John Carter, Robert Peck, William Bridge, 
William Green, Thomas Scott, Nicholas Beard rt 
Kent, Thomas Allen, John Allen, and John Ward.» Some 
of them spent their days in silence; others retired into 
foreign countries; but none were restored, without a pro- 
mise of conformity. This furious prelate, by these severities 
drove upwards of three thousand persons to seek their brea 
an a foreign land.+ . 

About the year 1637, many of the persecuted puritans, 
to obtain a refuge from the storm, retired to New England ; 
among whom were Messrs. Fisk, Moxon, Newman, Peck, 
Exzekel Rogers, and Thomas Larkham.} Mr. Larkbam was 
so follo by continued vexatious prosecutions, that he 
was a sufferer in almost all the courts in England. He 
‘was in the star-chamber and high commission at the same 
time. And, he said, he was so constantly hunted by hungry 
pursuivants, that at last, by the tyranny of the bishops, 
and the tenderness of his own conscience, he was forced into 
exile.§ 

While these ravages were made in the churches, nume- 
rous pious ministers and their flocks being torn asunder, if 
any attempted to separate from the national church, the 
jealous archbishop was sure to have his eye upon them. Mr. 
Lamb was accordingly prosecuted in the high commission, 
and cast into prison. He was confined in most of the jails 
about London. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Comwall were com- 
mitted to Maidstone jail. Many others were excommuni- 
cated and imprisoned by the archbishop. 

This tyrannical arch-prelate su ed one Mr. Warren, 
a schoolmaster, for refusing conformity, and for reading 
only books on divinity among his scholars. Mr. Ephraim 
Hewet, minister of Wroxall in Warwickshire, was suspended 
by his dioccsan, for keeping a fast in his parish, and not 
observing the ceremonies. Mr. Jeffryes was forced from 
his flock ; and Mr. Wroth and Mr. Erbery were prosecuted, 
when the latter resigned his vicarage, and left the diocese in 
peace. Great numbers in Kent were excommunicated and 
cast into prison. About thirty of the London ministers 

* Rashworth’s Collec. vol. iii. p. $538.—Nalson’s Collec. vol. il. p, 400, 401 

+ Prynne’s Cant. Doome, p. 376. ; 

¢ The namber of ministers driven to New England by the hard dealings 


of the bishops, from the year 1620 to 1640, amounted to about ainety.— 
MS. Remarks, p. 919—921 . 


§ Calamy’s Contin. vol. i. p- 330. 
VOL, i. ¢ 


82 INTRODUCTION. 


were convened ‘before their diocesan; when many of them 
‘were suspended and excommunicated for refusing to receive 
the sacrament at the rails.» Mr. Miles Burket, vicar of 
Patteshall in Northamptonshire, was prosecuted in the high 
commission, for administering the sacrament without. the 
rails, and for not bowing at the name of Jesus.+ Mr. Burton, 
Mr. Prynne, and Dr. Bastwick, already mentioned, having 
been long confined in prison, were prosecuted in the star- 
‘chamber, when they received the following dreadful sentence : 
—<‘ Mr. Burton shall be deprived of his living, and degraded 
from his ministry, as Mr. Prynne and Dr. Bastwick had been 
already from their professions; they shall each be fined 
£5,000 ; they shall stand in the pillory at Westminster, and 
have their ears cut off; and becayse Prynne had lost his 
ears already, the remainder of the stumps shall be cut off, 
and he shall be stigmatized on both his cheeks with the letters 
S..L. for a seditious libeller; and they shall all three 
suffer perpetual imprisonment in the remotest parts of the 


om. 

~ Phe church of England and the governing prelates were 
now arrived at their highest power and splendour. ‘The 
afflicted nonconformists, and those who favoured their cause,§ 
felt the zelentless vengeance of the star-chamber and high 
commission. Dr. Williams, the excellent Bishop of Linco 

was now removed from the court, and retired to his diocese. 
Here he connived at the nonconformists, and spoke with 
some keenness against the ceremonies. He once said, “ That 
the puritans were the king’s best subjects, and he was sure 
they would carry all at last.” Laud being informed of this 
expression, caused an information to be lodged against 
him in the star-chamber, when, after suspension from all his 
-offices and benefits in the high commission, he was fined 
s£10,000 to the king, £1,000 to Sir John Mounson, and 
committed to the Tower during the king’s pleasure. Being 
sent to the Tower, his library and all his goods were seized, 
and sold. to pay the fine. His papers being seized, two 
letters were found written to him by Mr. Osbaldeston, chief 


* Wharton’s Troubles of Laud, vol. i. p. 546—557. 

+ Prynne’s Cant. Doome, p. 96. 

{ For a circumstantial account of the execution of this barbarous sen- 
tence, see Art. Henry Burton. 

§ Many of those who favoured the cause of the nonconformists, paid 
great sums of money to obtain their release from the ecclesiastical censure. 
And Mr. John Packer; a gentleman of exemplary piety, charity, and 
zeal for a further reformation, was most liberal in supporting the silenced 
ministers; and he paid £1,000 for one of them to be released.—AMf3. Chre- 
nology, vol. iii, A.D. 1640, p. 44. 


INTRODUCTION. 83 


master of Westminster school, containing certain dark 
expressions,* on the ground of which he was condemned in 
the additional fine of. £5,000 to the king, and £3,000 to the 
archbishop, and kept close prisoner in the Tower. Mr. 
Osbaldeston was fined 3£5,000 to the king, and £5,000 to the 
archbishop ; to be deprived of all his spiritual promotions, 
to stand in the pillory before his own school, and have his 
gars nailed to it, and to be imprisoned during the king’s 
pleasure. Mr. Osbaldeston being among the crowd in the 
court, when the sentence was pronounced, immediately 
went home, burnt some papers, and absconded, leaving a 
note on his desk in his study, with these words: “If the 
archbishop enquire for me, tell him I am gone beyond 
Canterbury.” Mr. John Lilburne, afterwards a colonel in 
the army, for refusing to take an oath to answer all interro- 
fatcries concerning his importing and publishing seditious 
ibels, was fined £5,000, and whipped through the streets 
from the Fleet to the pillory in Westminster. While in the 
pillory, he was gagged, then carried to the Fleet, and com- 
mitted to close confinement, with irons on his hands and 
feet, where he remained betwixt two and three years, without 
any ns being allowed to see him.+ 
terrible proceedings, without serving the interest 
of the church, awakened universal resentment against those 
inpower. Many thousand families were driven to Holland, 
many thousands to New England.t This so alarmed 
the king and the council, that a proclamation was issued, 


April 30, 1637, observing, “ That great numbers of his 
jeaty’s subjects were yearly transported to Ne land, 

wit thei als and whole estate, that they might be ond 

paler i ri his majesty therefore 
, wae, 


34 INTRODUCTION. 


good conformity and unity of the church; we therefore 
expressly command yor,.in his majesty’s name, to suffer 
mo clergyman to transport himself without a testimonial 
from the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of 
London.”* The puritans must not be suffered te live 

bly at home, nor yet be allowed to take sanctuary in 
a foreign land. These unparalleled acts of cruel and tyran- 
ical injustice in a protestant country, tarned the hearts of 
tens of thousands to the cause of the puritans. 


J 
for New England, and filled with puritan families, 
whom was O_iver CromwELL: who, 


intended for the voyage.” To prevent the same in feture, 
the king prohibited a 


a special license from the privy council; “ because,” sa 
he, “ the people of New England are factious and unworthy: 
our support.”’+ 

The puritans who remained at home still groaned under 
the merciless oppressions of the prelates. Mr. Obadiah 
Sedgwick was driven from his living and the people of his 
charge. Mr. Cox was summoned first before Bishop Hall, 
then Archbishop Laud. Mr. Simonds, rector of St. Martin’s, 
Jronmonger-lane, London, and Mr. Daniel Votyer, rector 
of St. Peter's, West-cheap, were deprived, and forced to flee 
into Holland. Mr. Show was cited before Laud, and he 
fled to New England.t By the recommendation of Land, 
Mr. Edward Moore, a student in the university of Oxford, 
‘was cast into prison, for the insignificant crime-of m 
his hat in the town; and for his behaviour when 
for his fault, he recommended him to be publicly whipped, 
‘and banished from the university. Mr. right was 
‘suspended for refusing to read the prayer against the Scots ; 
and his brethren, the ministers of Kent, endured many 
troubles for the same crime. Mr. Barber was suspended — 
and cast into prison, where he remained eleven months. Mr. 


* Rushworth, vol. ii, p. 400, 410. ) 
+ Ibid. ¢ Wharton’s Troubles of Lasd, vol. i. p. &00—568. 
4 Wharton's Troubles of Laud, vol. ii. p. 107. 


INTRODUCTION. 85 


Jessey and many others being assembled together for the 
purpose of fasting and prayer, were interrupted by the 
pursuivants, and sent to the Tower. Afterwards he was 
apprehended and several of his congregation, and committed 
to the Cempter; but upon their application to the parlia- 
ment, they were immediately released. Mr. Wilkinson 
was suspended, but restored by the house of commons.» Mr. 
Moreton, rector of Blisland in Cornwall, was driven from his 
living and his fleck. Mr. Hughes and Mr. Todd were both 
silenced. Mr. Hieron was apprehended and prosecuted in 
the high commission, for very trivial matters.t By these 
proceedings of the bishops, many thousands of excellent 
christians and worthy subjects were ruined in their estates, 
and driven out of the country. 

_In the year 1640, the convocation continued to sit, after 
the parliament was dissolved. The canons adopted in this 
synod, entitled ‘“ Constitutions and Canons Eeclesiastical 
treated upon by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, 
&c.” are extremely superstitious and tyrannical. They 
required of all clergymen to swear “ That they would never 
consent to the alteration of the present government of the 
church, by archbishops, bishops, deans, archdeacons, &c.” 
And if any beneficed person should refuse this ridicnlous 
and cruel oath, “he shall after one. month be suspended 
from his office ; after a second mohth, he shall be suspended 
from his office and benefice; and after a third month, he 
shall be deprived of all his ecclesiastical promotions.”"s These 
eanens were evidently designed to crush all the puritans at 
once; but they were soon virtually annulled.| 

November 3, 1640, the LONG PARLIAMENT first assem- 
bled, and continued sitting with some little interruption about 
eighteen years. The members of this parliament were all 
members of the church of England, and nearly all advocates 
. for episcopal government. e first week was spent in 
appointing committees, and receiving the numerous petitions 
fromall parts of the kingdom, craving a redress of grievances 

both in church and state.» Numerous petitions were also 


* Calamy’s Contin. vol. i. R. 47, 91. 

+ Calamy’s Account, vol. ji. p. 144, 162, 222, 797. 

~ Mather’s Hist. of New Eag. b. iii. p. 188. 

§ Sparrow’s Collec. p. $59, 300. 

| The above convocation, says Clarendon, gave subsidies, .enjained an 
oath, and did things, which, in the best of times, might have been ques- 
tioned; and therefore, in the worst, were sure to be condemned .-— Hist. of 
Rebellion, vol. i. p. 116. 

4 Plaxendon’s Hist. vel. i, p. 184  ** Whitlocke’s Memorial, p. 36. 


$6 INTRODUCTION. 


presented by the puritans who had been many years undef 
close confinement ; when the parliament favourably received: 
them, released the prisoners, and voted them to receive 
considerable sums out of the estates of their persecutors, by 
way of damages. They released Dr. Leighton, who had 
been imprisoned ten years; Mr. Smart, eleven or twelve 
ears; and Mr. Brewer, fourteen years. Also, Burton, 
Prynne, Bastwick, Walker, Lilburne, Bishop Williams, 
and many others, now obtained their liberty. The above 
canons were, at the same time, condemned in the house of 
commons, as being against the king’s prerogative, the 
fundamental laws of the realm, the liberty and property of 
_ the subject, and as containing divers other things tending to 
sedition and dangerous consequence. For which several of 
the bishops were impeached of high crimes and misde- 
meanours.* The archbishop was impeached of high treason, 
and committed to the Tower.+ 
The committee of accommodation was appointed by the 
upper house, to consider of such innovations as were proper 
to Be taken away. It consisted of ten earls, ten bishops, and 
ten barons. ‘They also. appointed a sub-committee of 
bishops and learned divines, to prepare matters for debate, 
Bishop Williams being chairman of both.t The result of 
their conference was drawn up for the debate of the com- 
mittee, in a number of propositions and querics. But all 
attempts at an accommodation were blasted by the obstinacy 
of the bishops, and by the discovery of the plot for bringing 
the army up to London to dissolve the parliament. This 
widened the distance betwixt the king and the two houses, 
and broke up the committee, without bringing any thing to 
perfection. The moderation and mutual compliance of 
these divines, it is justly observed, might have saved the 
whole bocly of episcopacy, and prevented the civil war : but 
the court bishops expected no good from them, suspecting 
that the puritans would betray the church. Some hot 


* Rushworth’s Collec. vol. iv. p. $59. 

+ Prynne’s Breviate of Laud, p. 28, 24. 

¢ The names of these bishops and learned divines, were as follows: 
Dr. Williams, bishop of Lincoln, Dr. Richard Holdsworth, ' 
Dr. Usher, archbishop of Armagh, Dr. John Hacket, 


Dr. Morton, bishop of Durham, Dr, William Twisse, 

Dr. Hall, bishop of Exeter, Dr. Cornelias Burgess, _ 

Dr. Samuel Ward, Mr. John White, 

Dr. John Prideaux, Mr. Stephen Marshall, 7 
Dr. Robert Sanderson, Mr. Edmund Calamy, ~ | 
Dr. Dapiel Featley, Mr. Thomas Hill. 


Dr, Ralph Brownrige, ' Fuller's Charch Hist. b. t1. >: 174, 


INTRODUCTION. 87: 


spirits would abate nothing of the episcopal power or profit,. 
but maintained, that to yield any thing was giving up the 
cause to the opposite party.* - 

In the year 1641, the parliament introduced two bills, 
one to abolish the high commission court, the other the 
star-chamber, both of which obtained the royal assent.+ 
The former of these courts, observes Lord Clarendon, had 
assumed a disputable power of imposing fines ; that it some- 
times exceeded in the severity of its sentences; that it 
rendered itself very unpopular; and had. managed its 
censures with more sharpness, and less policy, than the 
times would bear: but he declares he did not know that 
any innocent clergyman suffered by any of its ecclesiastical 
censures.t The abolition of these courts effectually clipped 
the wings of the persecuting prelates. 

Numerous petitions being sent up from all quarters for 
preaching ministers, a committee of forty members of the 
house was appointed, called the committee of preaching 
ministers, to send ministers where there were vacancies, an 
provide for their maintenance, And there being many 
complaints of idle and licentious clergymen, another com- 
mittee was appointed, called tht committee of scandalous 
ministers, to examine these complaints. A third com- 
mittee was appointed, called the committee of plundered 
ministers, for the relief of such godly ministers as were 
driven from their cures, for adliering to the parliament. 
Many- pious and learned divines were members of these 
committees, who employed their abilities to the utmost for 
public usefulness. 

Upon the presentation of numerous grievances from all 


* Fuller’s Church Hist. b. xi. p. 175. 

+ Scobell’s Collections, part i. p. 9, 12. . 

¢ Clarendon’s Hist. vol. i. p. 221, 222.—The high commission, says Hume, 
extended its jurisdiction over the whole kingdom, and over all orders of 
men; and every circumstance of its authority, and all its methods of 
proceeding, were contrary to the clearest principles of law and natural 
equity. The commissioners were impowered to administer the oath ex 
officio, by which a person was bound to answer all questions, and might 
thereby be obliged to accuse himself or his most intimate friend. The fines 
were discretionary, and often occasioned the total ruin of the offender, 
contrary to the established laws of the kingdom, This court was a real 
Inquisition ; attended with all the igiquities, as well as cruelties, inseparable 
from that tribunal. It was armed, says Granger, with an inquisitorial power, 
to force any one to confess what he knew, and to punish him at discretion. 
— Hume's Hist. of Eng. vol. v. p. 189.—Granger’s Biog. Hist. vol. i. 


p- e 
§ Clarendon’s Hist. vol. i. p. 205. 
# Sytvester’s Life of Baxter, part i. p. 19. 
I Walker’s Suf. Clergy, part i. p° 73. 


| INTRODUCTION: 


parts of the ki the iament appointed a com- 
mittee ¢ to draw out of em all, such kind remondtrance as 
would give his majesty an impartial representation o 
deplorable state of nation. The remonstrance* was 
presented to the king, December 1, 1641;. and enumerates 
the grievances, oppressions, and unbounded acts of the 
prerogative, since his majesty’s accession: among which 
were “‘ The suspension, deprivation, excommunication, and 
degradation of laborious, learned, and pious ministers.— 
The sharpness and severity of the high commission, assisted 
by the council-table, not much less grievous than the Romish 
inquisition.— The rigour of the bishops’ courts in the 
country, whereby numbers of tradesmen have been im- 
poverished, and driven to Holland and New England.— 
he advancement to ecclesiastical preferments, of those 
who were most officious in promoting superstition, and 
most virulent in raili inst i and honesty.— 
The design of reconciling the church of England with that 
of Rome.—And the late canons and oath imposed upon the 
~ Clergy, under the most grievous penalties.”+ But the king 
was displeased with the remonstrance; he published an 
answer to it, and issued his royal proclamation, requiring 
an exact conformity to the reli on as by law established. 
During the year 1642, the king and the parliament put 
themselves respectively in. a posture of defence, and used 
those military precautions which soon led to all the horrors 
of a civil war, and deluged the land with blood. Both 
parties published their. declarations, in justification of their 
own cause. The king set up his standard at Nottingham, 
where about 2,000 came to him; and greatly augmented his 
forces out of Shropshire, Worcestershire, and other counties. 
The parliament raised a gallant army under the command 
of the Earl of Essex. Many excellent divines became 
chaplains to -the several regiments. Dr. Burgess and Mr. 
Marshall, to the general’s own regiments; Mr. Obadiah 
Sedgwick, to Colonel Hollis’s regiment; Dr. Downing, to 
_Lord Roberts’; Mr. John Sedgwick, to the Earl of Stam- 
ford’s; Dr. Spurstowe, to Mr. Hampden’s; Mr. Perkins, to 


_* The debates in parliament about the remonstrance lasted from three 
o’clock in the afternoon, till ten next morning, which occasioned Sir B. R. 
to say, “ It was the verdict of a starved jury.” Oliver Cromwell told 
Lord Falkland, that if the remonstrance had been rejected, he would have 
sold all his estates next morning, and never have seen England any more.— 
Whitlocke’s Mem. p. 49.—Clarendon’s Hist. vol. i. p..246, 241. 

# Rushworth’s Collec. vol. v. p. 438—Nalson’s Collee. vol. ii. p. GP 
} Rashworth’s Collec. vol. v. p. 456. 


i" 
’ 


\ 


INTRODUCTION. 88 


Colonel Goedwin’s; Mr. Moore, io Lord Wharton’s; Mr. 
Adonirim Byfield, to Sir Henry Cholmley’s; Mr. Nalton, 
to Colonel Grantham’s; Mr. Ashe, either te Lord Brook’s 
or the Harl of Manchester’s; and Mr. Morten, to Siz 
Arthur Hasilrigg’s; with many more.¢ 

The heuse of commons had already resolved, “ Thag 
the Lord’s day should be duly observed and sanctified ; 


. that all dancing and other sports, either before or after 


, pastime, under the several penalties annex 


divine service, shotld be forborn and restrained ; that the 
preaching of God’s word be promoted in all parts of the 
ingdom; and that ministers be encouraged in this work.” 
May 5, 1643, the parliament issued an order, “ That the 
Book of Sports shall be burnt by the common hangman, iz 
Cheapside and other public places,” which was done by 
direction of the sheriffs of London and Middlesex.t By 
an ordinance of. both houses, it was appointed, ‘“ That no 
person shall henceforth on the Lord’s day, use or be present 
at any wrestling, shooting, bowling, ringing of bells tor plea- 
sure, mask, wake, church-ale, games, dancing, sports or other 
” An ordi- 
nance also passed for removing all monuments of supersti- 
tion and idolatry, commanding all altars and tables of 
stone to be demolished, communion tables to be removed 
from the east end of the church, the rails to be removed, 
the chancel to be levelled, tapers, candlesticks, basons, &c. 
to be removed from the communion tables ; and all crosses, 
crucifixes, and images, to be taken away and detaced. 
And by another, it was appointed, ‘“ That all copes, sur- 
plices, superstitious vestments, roods, fonts, and organs, be 
utterly defaced.’’s 
June 12, 1643, an ordinance passed both houses for 
calling the assembly of divines.| This assembly was not 
a convocation according to the diocesan modal, nor was it 
called by the votes of ministers according to the presby- 
terian way; but the parliament chose all the members 
themselves, merely with a view to obtain their opinion and 
advice, in settling the government, liturgy, and doctrine 
of the church. “Their debates were confined to such things 
as the parliament proposed. Some counties had two.mem- 
bers, and some only one. But to appear impartial, and 
* Sylvester’s Life of Baxter, part i. p. 42. 
+ Nalson’s Collec. vol. ii. p. 482. 
¢t Ao act of greater scorn, or greater insolency and disloyal impudeace, 
says Dr. Heylin, was never offered to a sovereign and anointed Prince, 


than this severe usage of the Book of Sports.— Hist. of Pres. p. 465. 
_ 4 Scobell’s Collec. part i. p. 58, 69. Q Ibid. p. 42. 


$0 


INTRODUCTION. 


give each party the liberty to speak, they chose many of the 


most learned: episco 


lians, as well as those of other deno- 


minations.» Lord Clarendon reproaches these pious and 
learned divines, ef whom a list is given below,+ by saying, 
« That some were infamous in their lives and conversation, 
and most of them of very mean parts, if not of scandalous 
ignorance, and of no other reputation than of malice to the 


* Many of the episcopal divines, several of whom were bishops, did 


not attend. 


+ William Twisse, D.D. Newbury, 

' _ prolocator. 

Corn. Burgess, D.D. 

; Watford, 

gokn White, Dorches- 
ter, 

William Gonge, D.D. Blackfriars. 

Robert Harris, B.D. Hanwell. 

Tho. Gataker, B.D. Rotherhithe. 

Oliver Bowles, B.D. Sutton. 

#dward Reynolds, D.D. Bramston. 

Jeremiah Whitaker, A.M. Stretton. 

Anthony Tuckney, B.D. Boston. 

John Arrowsmith, Lynn. 

Simeon Ashe, St. Bride’s. 

Philip Nye, Kimbolton. 

Jeremiah Burroughs, A.M. Stepney. 

Jobn Lightfoot, D.D. Ashly. 

Stanley Gower, Brampton- Bryan. 


Assessors. 


Richard Heyricke,A.M. Manchester. 


Thomas Case, London. 

Thomas Temple, D.D. Battersea. 

George Gipps, Ayleston, 

Thomas Carter, Oxford. 

Humphrey Chambers, B.D. Cla- 
verton. 

Tho. Micklethwaite, Cherryburton. 

John Gibbon, Waltham. 

Christ. Tisdale, Uphurstborne. 

John Phillips, Wrentham. 

George Walker, B.D. London. 

Edm. Calamy, B.D. Aldermanbury. 

Joseph Caryl, A.M. Lincoln’s-inn, 

Lazarus Seaman, D.D. London. 

Henry Wilkinson, B.D. Waddesdon. 

Richard Vines, A.M. Calcot. 

Nicholas Proffet, Marlborough. © 

Steph. Marshall, B.D. Finchinugfield, 

Joshua Hoyle, D.D. Dublin. 

. Thomas Wilson, A.M, Ocham. 

Thomas Hodges, B.D. Kensington. 

Tho. Bayley, B.D. Maningford- 
Crucis, 

Francis Taylor, A.M. Yalding. 

Thomas Young, Stow-market. 

Tho. Valentine, B.D. Chalfont St. 
Giles. - 


William Greenhill, Stepney. 

Edward Peale, Compton. 

John Green, Pencombe. 

Andrew Perne, Wilby. 

Samuel de la Place, French Church. 

John de la March, French Church. 

John Dury. 

Philip Delme. 

Sydrach Sympson, London. 

John Langley, West-Tuderly. 

Richard Cleyton, Showel. 

Arthur Salwey, Severn Stoke. 

John Ley, A.M. Badworth. 

Chartes Herle, A.M. Winwick, (pro- - 
locutor after Dr. Twisse.) 

Herbert Palmer, B.D. Ashwell, 
(assessor after Mr. White. ) 

Daniel Cawdrey, A.M. 

Henry Paiuter, B.D. Exeter. 

Henry Scudder, Collingbourne, 

Thomas Hill, D.D. Tichmarch. 

William Reynor, B.D. Egham. 

Thomas Goodwin, D.D. London. 

William Spurstowe, D.D. Hampden. 

Matthew Newcomen, Dedham. 

John Conant, D.D. Limington. 

Edmund Staunton, D.D. Kingston. 

Anthony Burgess, Sutton-Coldfield. 

William Rathband, Highgate. 

Francis Cheynel, D.D. Petworth. 

Henry Wilkinson, junior, B.D. 

Obadiah Sedgwick, B.D. Coggeshall. 

Ed ward Corbet, Mertoncoll.Oxford. 

Samuel Gibson, Burley. 

Thomas Coleman, A.M. Bliton. 

Theod. Buckharst, Overton- Water- 
vile. 

William Carter, London. 

Peter Smith, D.D. Barkway. 

John Maynard, A.M..- 

William Price, Covent-Garden, 

John Wincop, D.D. St. Martin’s. 

William Bridge, A.M. Yarmouth. 

Peter Sterry, London. 

William Mew, B.D. Esington. 

Benj. Pickering, East-Hoathly. - 

Joho Strickland, B.D. New Sarum. 


INTRODUCTION. : 91: 


church.”* But Mr. Baxter, who knew them much better 
than his lordship, says, “‘' They were men of eminent learn-- 
ing and godliness, ministerial abilities and fidelity. And. 
the christian world, since the days of the apostles, has 
never had a synod of more excellent divines, than this 
synod, and the synod of Dort.”+ Many of the lords and 
commons were joined with the divines, to see that they did 
not £ beyond their commission.{ The assembly presented 
to the parliament the confession of faith, the larger and 
shorter catechisms, the directory of public worship, and 
their humble advice concerning church government. The 
‘¢ Assembly’s Annotations,’ as it is commonly called, is 
unjustly ascribed to the assembly. ‘The parliament em- 
ployed the authors of that work, several of whom were 
members of this learned synod. The assembly first met 
July 1, 1643, in Henry the Seventh’s chapel, and continued 
to meet several years. : | 
Soon after the meeting of the assembly, a bond of union 
was agreed upon, entitled “ A Solemn League and 
Covenant for Reformation, and Defence of Religion, the 
Honour and Happiness of the King, and the Peace and 
Safety of the three Kingdoms of England, Scotland and 


Humphrey Hardwick. William Goad. 
Jasper Hickes, A.M. Lawrick. John Foxcroft, Gotham. 
John Bond, LL.D. Exeter. John Ward. 


Henry Hall, B.D. Norwich. 
Thomas Ford, A.M. 

Tho, Thorowgood, Massingham, 
Peter Clark, A.M. Carnaby. 


The Commissioners for Scotland were, 
Samuel Rutterford. 
George Gillespie. 
The Scribes were, 
Henry Roborough. John Wallis. 


* Clarendon’s Hist. vol. i. p. 415. 
+ Sylvester’s Life of Baxter, part i. p. 13. 


Richard Byfield, A.M. 
Francis Woodcock, Cambridge. 
J. Jackson, Cambridge. 


Lord Maitland. 
Alexander Henderson. 


Robert Baylie. 


Adoniram Byfield. 


} Algernon Earl of Northumb. 
William Earl of Bedford. 

Philip Earl of Pembroke. 

William Earl of Salisbury. 

Henry Earl of Holland. 

Edward Earl of Manchester. 
William Lord Viscount Say and Sele. 
Edward Lord Viscount Conway. 
Philip Lord Wharton. 

Edward Lord Howard. 

John Selden, edq. ' 

Francis Rouse, .esq. 

Edmund Prideaux, esq. 

Sir Henry Vane, senior, knt. 

John Glyn, esq. reeorder of Londoa. 


John White, esq. 

Bulstrode Whitlocke, esq. 
Humphrey Sallway, esq. 
Oliver St. John, esq. king’s solicitor. 
Mr, Serjeant Wild. 

Sic Benjamin Radyard, kat. 
John Pym, esq. 

Sir John Clotworthy, kunt. 
John Maynard, esq. 

Sir Henry. Vane, junior, kat. 
William Pierpoint, esq. 
William Wheeler, esq. 

Sir Thomas Barrington, knt. 
Walter Young, esq. 

Sir John Evelin, kat. 


eighteen years. 

in addition to the committees already mentioned, the 
_ parliament appointed coealry commitices, in the different 
x and afterwards 


sequester, upon sufficient witness, such clergymen as were 
scandalous in their lives, ill-affected to the parliament, or 


netorious immorality, or an avowed hostility to the parlia- 
meat, were deprived of their livings. Though it cannot 
be supposed in such times, that no innocent person unjustly 

; yet, “many” says Fuller, “ were cast out for their 

i ars, and some of their offences were so foul, it is 
@ shame to repon » crying to justice for punishment.”’+ 
And, says Mr. Baxter, Gm all the countries where he was 
« siz io one at least, if not many more, that 
“ were sequestered by the committees, were by the oaths of 
“ witnesses proved insufficient or scandalous, or especially 
“ guilty of drunkenness and swearing. This I know,” says 
he, ‘¢ will displease the party, but I am sure it is true.” }; 

In the year 1644, Archbishop Laud was brought to trial 
by the two houses of parliament, and being found guilty of 
high treason, was beheaded on Tower-hill. He was a 

elate of imperious and bigotted principles, and rash and 

urious in his conduct, especially towards the puritans. 
His councils were high and arbitrary, tending to the ruin of 
the king and constitution. He obtained ascen 

over his majesty’s conscience and councils. Though he 
- ‘was no papist, he was much inclined to the popish imposi- 
tions and superstitious rites, and to meet the church of 
Rome half way. While it was Laud’s “ chief object to 
maintain the outward splendour of the church, by daily 
increasing the number of pompous ceremonies and scan- 


* Clarendon’s Fist. vol. ti. p. 287. 
+ Fuller’s Church Hist, b. xi. p. 207, 
Sylvester's Life of Baxter, part i. p. 74. 
** Some of his majesty’s ministers drove so fast,” says Welwoed, ‘‘that it 
‘was no wonder both the wheelsand chariot were broken, And it was owing 
in a great past to the indiscreet zeal of a mitred head, (meaning Laud) whe 
had got an ascendant over his mastet’s conscience and councils, that both the 
monarchy aud hierarchy owed aftorwarde their fall.”-—-Memeirs, p. ST. 


INTRODUCTION. oS 


dalous innovations, he made many fair approaches towards 
Reme, m point of doctrine.” Under his primacy the 
church ef England evidently assumed a very popish 
appearance. And, according to Hume, the court ef Rome 
itself entertained of regaining its authority ia this 
island; and, in to forwand Laud's supposed goed 
intentions, an offer was twice made him, in private, of a 
cardinal’s hat, whéch he declined accepting. His answer 
was, as he ebserves himself, ‘‘ that something dwelt withia 
hire which would not suffer his compliance, till Rome was 
ether than it is.”+ 

' ‘The London ministers having presented a petition t 
parliament, for a settlement of tlre ecclesiastical discipline 
end government, according to the directory of public 
‘Worship, they had the thanks of the house; and a com 
mittee was appointed to confer with the assembly, and to 
ascertain how far tender consciences might be borne with, com 
sistent with the peace of the kingdom and the word of Ged.g 
An ordinance soon passed to set aside the Book of Commoa 
Prayer, and to establish the directory.; The presbyterians 
now gaining the ascendancy, discovered a strong propessity 
to grasp at the same arbitrary power, as that under whi 
they had formerly and for a long time groaned. The 
parliament published two ordinances, one against the 
preaching of wnordained ministers, the other against blas- 
phemy and heresy, both ef which became the engines of 
oppression and persecution. The latter, says Mr. Neal, is 
one of the most shocking laws I have met with in restraint 
of religious liberty, and shews, that the governing presby- 
terians would have made a terrible use of their power, had 
they been supported by the sword of the civil magistrate, 
Several ministers of puritan principles, became sufferers by 
these ordinances. ir. Clarkson having embraced the 
sentiments of the antipsdobaptists, was cast into prison, and 
required to recant, for the marvellous sin of dipping. Mr. 
Lamb, Mr. Denne, and Mr. Knollys, all of the same denomi- 
nation, were apprehended and committed to prison. Mr. 


* May’s Hist. of Parliaments, p. 22—23. 
+ Prynne’s Breviate of Laud, p. 18.—Hume’s Hist of Eng. vol. vi. po 
200.—It is observed that acoart lady, daughter of the Earl of Devonehire, 
having turned papist, was asked by Laud the reasons of her conversion. 
‘* It is chiefly,”’ said she, ** because I hate to travel in a crowd.’? The 
meaning of this expression being demanded, she replied, ‘‘ I perceive 
your grace and many athers are rie 7 haste to Rome; aad, therefore, 
in order to prevent my being crowded, { have gone before you.”—~—Jbid. 
p. 210. 

Whitlocke’s Mem. p. 99. 

Scobell’s Collec. part i. p. 75, 9. 


9 - INTRODUCTION. 


Knollys was afierwards at the sessions, and sent 

prisoner to London. Mr. Oates was tried for his life, but 

acquitted. Mir. Biddle was cast into prison, where he 
Bemained seven years. 

The civil war having now continued several years, 

confusion and distress into every part 

both 


these commotions, remp parliament passed a Cectee to 


large 
concourse of people, struck off his head, January 30, 1649. 
« The king had a mistaken principle, that kingly government 
in the state, could not stand without episcopal government 
in the church. Therefore, as the bishops flattered him by 
preaching up the sovereign prerogative, and inveighing 
i the puritans as factious and disloyal: so he pro- 
fected them in their pomp and pride, and insolent practices 
against all the godly and sober people in the land.”* An 
émmoderate desire of power, beyond what the constitution 
did allow of, was the rock on which he split.”+ 


owe 


Sect. V. 


From the Death of King Charles I. to the passing of the 
Act of Uniformity, in 1662. gf 


Tue King being taken out of the way, CRomwWELL pro- 
posed a Commonwealth, till he laid a foundation for his own 
advancement. The parliament drew up a form of ENGAGE- 
MENT, to be subscribed by all persons above eighteen years 
of age, in these words :—‘‘I do promise to be true and 
faithful to the commonwealth as it is now established, 
- without a king or house of lords.” No man who refused 
this engagement could have the benefit of suing another at 
law, or hold any mastership in either university, or travel . 


* Memoirs of Col. Hutchinson, vol. i. p. 129, 130. 

+ Welwood’s Memoirs, p.87.—The puritan ministers of the presbyterian 
denomination in London being charged with bringing the king to the block, 
published. a ‘* Vindication” of themselves, declaring the falsehood of the 
charge, and protesting their abhorrence of the fact, and their unshaken 
jeyalty fo his majesty’s person and just government.--Calamy’s Contin. vol. 

© Pe fol. _ oa 


INTRODUCTION. 95 


‘more than a certain number of miles from his own house.» 
Therefore, Mr. Vines, Mr. Blake, and many other puritan 
ministers, for refusing to subscribe, were turned out of 
their livings. 

The terms of conformity were now less rigid than at any 
time since the commencement of the civil wars. The 
“oppressive statutes of the parliament were relaxed or not 
acted upon, the covenant was laid aside, and no other civil 
‘qualification required of ministers, besides the engagement. 

hough the episcopal divines were forbidden to read the 
liturgy in form, they might frame their prayers as near it as 
they pleased; and upon this principle, many of them 
complied with the government. Numerous episcopal 
assemblies were connived at, where the liturgy was read, 
till they were found plotting against the government: nor 
would they have been denied an open tuleration, if they 
would have given security for their peaceable behaviour, 
and not meddled with the affairs of government.t+ 

Cromwell and his friends, indeed, gave it out, that they 
could not understand what right the magistrate had to use 
compulsion in matters of religion. ‘They thought that all 
men ought to be left to the dictates of their own consciences, 
and that the civil magistrate could not interpose in any 
religious concerns, without ensnarinug himself in the guilt 
of persecution. Dr. George Bates, an eminent royalist, 
and an avowed enemy to Cromwell, observes, “ That the 
protector indulged the use of the common prayer in families, 
and in private conventicles ; and it cannot be denied, that 
churchmen had a great deal more favour and indulgence 
than under the parliament ; which would never have been 
interrupted, had they not insulted the protector, and 
forfeited their liberty by their seditious practices and 
plottings against his person and government.’’s 

December 16, 1653, Oliver Cromwell was installed Lora 
Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, 
and Jreland, when an INstRUMENT OF GOVERNMENT Was 
adopted and subscribed. The thirty-seventh article ob- 
serves, “ that all who profess faith in God by Jesus Christ, 
shall be protected in their religion.” The parliament 
afterwards voted, that all should be tolerated, ar indulged, 
who professed the fundamentals of christiapity: | cextaim 


, _ ou 
* Sylvester's Life of Baxter, part L. p. & 
+ Neal’s Puritans, vol. iv. p. 6ly- .. 
ft Sylvester’s Life of Baxter, 
§ Neal’s Paritaos, vol. iv. p. 10%. .. 
§ Whitlocke’s Mem. p. 553-58., 


a? 


. INTRODUCTION. 


learned divines were appointed to draw up the fundamentals 
to be presented to the house. Those who acted were Drs. 
Owen, Goodwin, and Cheynell, and Messrs. Marshall, 
Reyner, Nye, Sympson, Vines, Manton, Jacomb, and 
Baxter. Archbishop Usher was nominated, but declined 
his aftendance.* 

Daring the national confusions there were many persons 
denominated fifth monarchy-men, chiefly of the ji 
persuasion, They were in immediate expectation of 

esus, and of the commencement of his storious, 

reign of a thousand years upon the . Though they 
were ayowedly of commonwealth principles, they were 
extremely hostile to Cromwell’s government.+ Several of 
them having discovered considerable enmity and opposition 
against the protector, were apprehended and commitied 
to prison; among whom were Mr. Rogers, Mr. Feake, and 
Mr. Vavasor Powell. On account of the rigorous laws still 
in force, they were kept in prison a long time, under the 
plea of mercy, and to save their lives. 

The protector having discovered some inconvenience 
. from the approbation of ministers being left wholly to the 
presbyterians, he contrived a middle way, by joining the 
various parties together, and committing the business to 
Certain men of approved abilities and integrity, belonging 
to each denomination. For this purpose, an ordinance was 
passed, March 20, 1654, appointing thirty-eight commis- 
sioners to this office, commonly called Trvers.t Another 
ordinance was also passed, “ for ejecting scandalous, igno~ 
rant, and insufficient ministers and schoolmasters.” It 
appointed certain lay-commissioners for every county, to 
be joined by ten or more of the best divines, as their 
assistants: ‘They were required to call before them any 
pubic preacher, vicar, curate, or schoolmaster, reputed to 

ignorant, scandalous, or insuflicient.§ | 

is ordinance, it must be acknowledged, bore hard 
upon some of the episcopal clergy ; among whom were Dr. 
Pordage, charged with blasphemy and heresy; and Mr. 
Bushnal, charged with drunkenness, profanation of the 
sabbath, gaming, and disaffection to the government. For 
these crimes, they were both turned out of their livings.4 
Also, by the act for propagating the gospel in Wales, many 
ignorant and scandalous ministers were ejected, and others 


* Sylvester's Life of Baxter, part ii. p. 197. 
+ Thurloe’s State Papers, vol. i. p. 621, 


641. 
¢ Scobell’s Collec. part ii. p. 279. § Ibid. p. $85, $40—347. 
{ Neal’s Puritans, vol, iv, p. 112, 133. eo 


INTRODUCTION. 97 


put in their places. It is observed, that -in a short time, | 
there were one hundred and fifty good preachers in the 
thirteen Welch counties, most of whom preached three or 
four times a week.» But the generality of the ejected 
clergy did not preach at all, or were scandalous in. their 
lives; and the commissioners affirm, that of the sixteen 
they turned out in Cardiganshire, only three of them were 
preachers, and those of very immoral character.+ 

The protector’s health, through his excessive toils and 
fatigues, began at length to decline. And having nomi- 
nated a successor, he died of a fever, September 3, 1658, 
aged fifty-nine years. Nevér was man more highly ex- 
tolled, nor more basely vilified, according as men’s interests 
led their judgments.“ The royalists,” says Mr. Baxter, 
“‘ abhorred him as a most perfidious hypocrite, and the 
presbyterians thought him little better. He kept up his 
approbation of a godly life in the general, and of all that 
was good, except that which the interest of his sinful cause 
engaged him to be against. 1 perceived,” our author adds, 
“‘ that it was his design to do good in the main, and to 
_ promote the gospel and the interests of goodness, more 
than any had done before him.”{ His son Richard, 

according to his father’s will, succeeded him. Numerous 
'- addresses were sent from all parts of the country, congra- 
tulating the new protector. He was of a calm and peace- 
able temper, but unfit to be at the helm in such boisterous 
times. Richard Cromwell finding the nation involved 
in difficulties, tamely resigned his high dignity and govern- 
ment, afier enjoying it only eight months. 

The nation being tired of changes, and now in danger of 
' universal anarchy, soon discovered its uneasiness. Gencral 
Monk, with his army, was called out of Scotland; and 
upon his arrival in London, he declared in favour of the 
' king. A council of state was called; and having agreed 
to invite home the king, the question was put, “ ‘Whether 
they should call him in upon treaty and covenant, or 
entirely confide in him?” After some debate, it was 
resolved to trust him absolutely. The new parliament 
assembling» they unanimously voted the king home. He 
was sent for to Holland, when Mr. Calamy, Mr. Bowles, | 
Dr. Manton, and some others, were deputed by the parlia- 
' ment and city to attend him. His majesty gave them such 
- encouraging promises, as raised in some of them very high 
* Whitlocke’s Mem, p. 518. 
+ Neal’s Puritans, vol. iv. p. 116. 
} Sylvester's Life of Baxter, part i. p. 71, 98. 

VOL. I. M:, 


98 INTRODUCTION. 


expectations. Upon the entrance of the king, May 29, 1660, 
as he passed through the city towards Westminster, the 
London ministers, by the hands of old Mr. Arthur Jackson, 
resented his majesty with a richly adomed bible; which 
he received, saying, “ It shall be the rule of my govern- 
ment and my life.”s 
_ King Cuarcves II. being now seated on the throne of his 
ancestors, the commencement of his reign was a continued 
jubilee. But from the period of his accession, he grasped 
at axbitrary power, and shewed but little inclination to 
depend upon parliaments.+ ‘ The restoration,” says Burnet, 
“ brought with it the throwing off the very professions of 
virtue and piety, and entertainments and draunkenncss over- 
run the three kingdoms. The king had a good under- 
standing; and knew well the state of affairs both at home 
and abroad. He had a softness of temper that charmed all 
who came near him, till they found out how little they could. 
depend on good looks, kind words, and fair promises; in 
which he was liberal to an excess, because he intended. 
nothing by them, but to rid of importunities. He 
seemed to have no sense of religion. He was no atheist, 
but disguised his popery to the last.”’} 

Upon. his majesty’s accession, many of the puritans. 
were in great hopes of favour. Besides the promises of 
men in -power, they had an assurance from the king, in 
his declaration from Breda, “ That he should grant liberty 
to tender consciences, and that no man should be questioned 
for a difference of opinion in matters of religion, who did 
not disturb the peace of the kingdom.’ Afterwards, the- 
king having issued his declaration concerning ecclesiastical | 
matters, dated October 25, 1660; and the London ministers 
having presented to him their address of thanks, his majesty 
returned them this answer: ‘ Gentlemen, I will endeavour. 
to give you all satisfaction, and to make you as happy as 
myself.” All this was, indeed, most encouraging. ear 
hopes were further cherished by ten of their number bei 
made the king’s chaplains, though none of them prea 
except Dr. Reynolds, Dr. Spurstowe, Mr. Calamy, and Mr. 
Baxter, once each.« But all their hopes were soon blasted. 
Many hundreds of worthy ministers enjoying sequestered: 
livings, were displaced soon after his majesty’s return. The- 
fellows and heads of colleges in the two universities, who 


* Palmer's Noncon. Mem. vol.i.p.20. | + Welwood’s Memoirs, p. 12L. 
Burnet’s Hist. of his Time, vol. i. p, 93. 
Whitlocke’s Mem. p. 702. | Kennet’s Chronicle, p. $15. 

© Sylvester's Life of Baxter, part ii. p. 299. , 


INTRODUCTION. 99 


had been ejected, were restored, and the others cast out.* 
Bishops being placed in most of the sees, and the hicrarchy 
restored to its former splendour, though the presbyterians 
still flattered themselves with hopes of a comprehension, 
the independents and baptists sunk in despair. 

Here was an end, says Mr. Neal, of those distracted times, 
which oor historians have loaded with all the infamy and 
reproach that the wit of man could invent. The puritan 
ministers have been decried as ignorant mechanics, canting 
. preachers, enemies to learning, and no better than public 
robbers. The common people have been stigmatized as 
hypocrites. Their looks, their dress, and behaviour, have 
been represented in the most odious colours; yet we may 
challenge these declaimers to produce any period since the 
reformation, wherein there was less open profaneness and 
impiety, and more of the spirit as well as appearance of 
religion. Better laws, he adds, were never made against 
Vice, or more rigorously executed. Drunkenness, fornica- 
tion, profane swearing, and every kind of debauchery, were 
justly deemed infamous, and universally discountenanced. 
The clergy were laborious to an excess, in preaching, pray- 
ing, catechising, and visiting the sick. ‘The magistrates were 
exact in suppressing all kinds of games, stage-plays, and 
abuses in public houses; and a play had not been acted 
in any theatre in England, for almost twenty years.+ 

But the court and bishops were now at ease. The doc- 
trines of passive obedience and nonresistance were revived. 
And the puritans began to repare for those persecutions 
which presently followed. - Mr. Crofton, who had been very 
zealous for the king’s restoration, for having written in favour 
of the covenant, was deprived of his living, and sent close 
prisoner to the Tower, where he was not permitted to have 
pen, ink, or paper.t Mr. Parsons, a noted royalist, was 
fined 200, and cast into prison, for nonconformity. The 
celebrated Mr. John Howe was committed to prison; and 
multitudes were sequestered and prosecuted in the ecclesias- 
tical courts, for not wearing the surplice and observing the. 
ceremonies. ‘These were powerful indications of the ap- 
proaching storm. : | 

Upon Venner’s insurrection,; Mr. Knollys and many 

* Kennet’s Chronicle, p. 152, 153, 173, 221. 

+ Neal’s Puritans, vol. iv. p. 269. ~ + Kennet’s Chronicle, p. 501. 

§ Mr. Thomas Venner,a wine-cooper, with about fifty of his admirers, 
being in expectation of a fifth universal monarchy, under the. personal 
reign of King Jesus upon the earth, raised an insurrection ip the city. But 
their mad scheme was frustrated. Many of them were killed ip the contest ; 


and Venner and some others were seized, tried, condemned, and executed. 
—Burret’s Hist. of his Time, vol. i. p. 160. 


100- INTRODUCTION. 


other innocent persons, were dragged to Newgate, where 
they continued eighteen weeks. “he rebellion of Venner 
occasioned a royal proclamation, prohibiting all” anabap- 
tists and other sectaries from worshipping God in public, 
except at their parish churches. This unnatural edict was 
another signal for persecution. Mr. Biddle was tried at the | 
public sessions, fined one hundred pounds, and cast into 
prison, where he soon after died. Mr. John James was 
seized in the pulpit, tried, condemned, and beheaded. His 
’ bowels were then burnt, and his body being quartered, was 
placed upon the four gates of the city. of London, and his 
head first upon London bridge, then opposite his meeting- 
house in Bulstake-alley. | 
In order to crush the puritans in every corner of the land, 
and strike all nonconformists at once dumb, the famous — 
<«¢ Act of Uniformity’ was passed, requiring a perfect con- 
formity to the Book of Common Prayer, and the rites and 
ceremonies of the church. This struck the nonconformists 
with universal consternation. The unmerciful act took place 
August 24, 1662, justly denominated the BLack BartHo- 
LOMEW-DAY. By this act, “ it is well known, that nearly 
« 2.500 faithful ministers of the gospel were silenced. And 
‘“¢ it is affirmed, upon a modest calculation, that it procured 
“ the untimely death of 3,000 nonconformists, and the ruin 
“ of 60,000 families.”* And for what purpose were these 
' cruelties inflicted ? To establish an uniformity in all eccle- 
Siastical matters. A charming word, indeed ! for the thing 
itself is still wanting, even among those who promoted these 
tragic scenes. But this is the closing period of the present 
work. These barbarities are sufficiently delineated by our 
excellent historians.+ 


* Mather’s Hist. of New England, b. iii. p. 4.—** The world,”? says 
Bishop Kennet, ‘‘ has reason to admire not only the wisdom, but even the 
“* moderatian of this act, as being effectually made for ministerial confor- 
** mity alone, and leaving the people unable to complain of any imposi-- 
“© tion ! [’— Kennet’s Hist. of Eng. vol. iii. p. 243. | 

+ Calamy’s Account and Continuation, vol. iv.—And Palmer’s Noncas. 
Mem. vol, iii. 


THE 


LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Joun Bate, D.D.—This laborious and_ celebrated 
divine was born at Cove, near Dunwich, in Suffolk, No- 
vember 21, 1495. His parents being in low circumstances, 
and incumbered with a large family, he was sent, at twelve 
years of age, to the monastery of Carmelites in Norwich ; 
and from thence to Jesus Colle e, Cambridge. He was 
educated in all the superstitions of the Romish church ; but 
rds he became a most zealous and distinguished 
protestant. The account of this change in his sentiments is 
his own pen, therefore we shall give it in his own 
words :—‘ I wandered,” says he, ‘‘ in utter ignorance and 
blindness of mind both there (at Norwich) and at Cam- 
bridge, having no tutor or patron; till, the word of God © 
shining forth, the churches began to return to the pure 
fountain .of true divinity. In which bright rising of the 
New Jerusalem, being not called by any monk or priest, 
but seriously stirred up by the illustrious the Lord Went- 
Worth, as by that centurion who declared Christ to be the 
Son of Go , I presently saw and acknowledged my own 
deformity ; and immediately, through the divine goodness, 
I was removed from a barren mountain, to the flowery and 
fertile~valley of the gospel, where I found all things built, 
not on the sand gbut on a solid rock. Hence I made haste - 
to deface the mark of wicked antichrist, and entirely threw 
of his yoke from me, that I might be partaker of the lot and 
liberty of the sons of God. And that I might never more 
serve so execrable a beast, I took to wife the faithful Dorothy, 
in obedience to that divine command, Let him that cannot 
contain, marry.” Bishop Nicolson, with great injustice, 
insinuates, that a dislike of celibacy was the grand motive 
of Bale’s conversion. “ He was converted,” says this 
Writer, “ by the procurement of Thomas Lord Wentworth ; 


102 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


though, in truth, his wife Dorothy seems to have had a great 
hand in that happy work.’ 

Bale no sooner experienced the power of converting 
grace, than he publicly professed his renunciation 
abhorrence of popery. In one of his books, speaking of 
the idolatrous and superstitious worshippers in the Romish 
church, he pathetically adds: “ Yea, | ask God mercy a 
thousand times; for [ have been one of them myself.”+ 
Having felt the power of divine truth on his own mind, he 
conferred not with flesh and blood, but began, openly and 
fervently, to preach the pure gospel of Christ, in opposition 
to the ridiculous traditions and erroneous doctrines of the 
Romish church. ‘This exposed him to the resentment and 
persecution of the ruling clergy ; and for a sermon which 

e preached at Doncaster, in which he openly declared 
against the invocation of saints, he was d from the 
pulpit to the consistory of York, to appear before Arch- 

ishop Lee, when he was cast into prison. Nor did he 
meet with more humane treatment in the south. For a 
similar offence, he experienced similar usage from Stokesly, 
bishop of London. But by the interference of the cele- 
brated Lord Cromwell, who had the highest opinion of him, 
and was then in high favour with King Henry VIII., he was 
delivered out of the hands of his enemies. Upon the death 
of this excellent nobleman, and the publication of the Six 
Articles, with the shocking persecution which immediately 
ensued, he could find no shelter from the storm, and was 
obliged to flee for safety. He retired into Germany, where 
he became intimate with Martin Luther and other distin- 
guished reformers, and continued with them about eight 
years. While in a state of exile, he was not idle, but 
diligently employed in his own improvement, and in writing 
and publishing several learned books, chiefly against the 
popish superstitions.+ 

After the death of King Henry, and the accession of 
Edward VI., Bale was invited home, and presented to the 
benefice of Bishopstoke in Hampshire. While in this 
situation, as well as when in exile, he wrote and published 
several books against the errors of popery. In the year 
1550, he published a work, entitled “The Acts and un- 
chaste Example of religious Votaries, gathered out of their 
own Legends and Chronicles.” Mr. Strype calls it a notable 


* Biog. Britan. vol. i. p. 532. Edit. 1278. 
+ Strype’s Parker, p. 143. . | 
. $ Fuller’s Church Hist. b. ix. p. 68.—Abel Redivivus, p. 504506, 


BALE. 108 


book ; and says, he designed to complete this history in 
four books, which should detect the foul lives and practices 
of the monastics, both men and women. He published the 
two first which he dedicated to Ki ward, and 
_ intimated that the othertwo should presently follow; but it is 
supposed they never came forth. He, at the same time, 
published “ An Apology against a rank Papist, answering 
both him and the Doctors, that neither their Vows, nor yet 
their Priesthood, are of the Gospel, but of Antichrist.” This 
was also dedicated to the king. ‘The Apology begins thus : 
“ A-few months ago, by chance as I sat at supper, this ques- 
tion was moved unto me, by one who fervently loves Giod’s 
verity, and mightily detesteth all falsehood and hypocrisy : 
‘Whether the vows expressed in the xxxth chapter of Num- 
bers give any establishment to the vow of our priests now to 
live without wives of their own ?”” ‘This piece was answered 
by acertain chaplain; and Bale published a reply. During 
the above year, he likewise published his “ Image of both 
Churches,” being an exposition of Revelation. Also, “ A 
Dialogue or Communication to be had at table between two 
Children.” And “ A Confession of the Sinner, after the 
Sacred Scripture.”* By these and similar productions of 
his pen, he so exposed the delusive superstitions and vile 
practices of the Romish church, as greatly to exasperate 
the party; and Bishop Gardiner, the cruel persecutor, 
complained of him to the lord protector, but most probably 
without success.t+ | 

During Bale’s abode at Bishopstoke, where he lived 
retired from the world, he waited upon the king, who was 
then at Southampton. His majesty, who had been informed 
of his death, was greatly surprised and delighted to see 
him; and the bishopric of Ossory, in Ireland, being then 
vacant, he summoned his privy council, and appointed him 
to that see. Upon which the lords wrote the following 
letter to our author : 

“ 'To our very lovinge friende Doctour Bale. After our 
«¢ heartye commendacyons. For as much as the kinges 
¢¢ majestie is minded in consideracyon of your learninge, 
<° wysdome, and other vettuouse qualityes, to bestowe upon 
“ yow the bishopricke of Ossorie in Irelande presently 
<“ yoyde, we have thought mete both to give yow knowledge 
“¢ thereof, and therewithall to lete you understande, that 
s¢ his majéstie wolde ye made your repayre hyther to the 


* Strype’s Ecc]. Memorials, vol. ii. p. 263. 
+ Burnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol. ii, p. 12. 


104 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


<¢ courte as soon as convenientley ye may, to thende that if 
« ye be enclined to embrace this charge, his highnesse may 
«¢ at your comynge give such ordre for the farther pro- 
“ cedings with yow herin, as shall be convenient. And 
“ thus we bid yow hartely farewell. From Southampton, 
“ the 16 daye of August 1552. Your lovinge frendes, W. 
« Winchestre, F. Bedford, IT. Suffolke, W. Northampton, 
“ T. Darcy, T. Cheine, F. Gate, W. Cecill.”*» : 

Bale, at first, refused the offered preferment, on account 
of his age, poverty, and ill health; but the king not admit- 
ting his excuses, he at length consented, and went soon after , 
to London, where every thing relative to his election and 
confirmation was dispatched in a few days, without any 
expense to him. He was consecrated by the Archbishop of 
Dublin, assisted by the Bishops of Kildare and Down; and 
Hugh Goodacre, a particular friend of his, was, at the same 
time, consecrated Archbishop of Armagh. There was, 
however, some dispute about the form of consecration. Dr. 
Lockwood, dean of the church, desired the lord chancellor 
not to permit the form, in the Book of Common Prayer 
lately set forth by the parliament in England, to be used on 
this occasion, alledging that it would cause a tumult, and . 
that it was not consented to by the parliament of Ireland. 
The lord chancellor proposed the ‘case to the archbishop 
and the bishops, who agreed in opinion with the dean. Dr. 
Goodacre wished it might be otherwise, but was u:fwilling 
to enter into any disputation about it. But our author 
positively refused being consecrated according to the old 
popish form, alledging, that as England and Ireland were 
under one king, they were both bound to the observance of 
the same laws. Upon which, the lord chancellor ordered 
the ceremony to be performed according to the new book, 
and afterwards entertained the bishops at dinner.+ | 

This celebrated divine having entered upon his new — 
charge, did not become indolent, nor yet rise in worldly 
grandeur, but was constantly employed in his beloved work 
of preaching the gospel, labouring to the utmost of his 
power to draw the people from popery to Christ. He spent 
a great part of his income in the purchase of books, manu- 
scripts, and records, for the purpose of publishing certain 
learned works which he had then in contemplation. 7 

Upon the accession of Queen Mary, and the return of 
popery, Dr. Bale was again exposed to the resentment and 


* Biog. Britan. yol, i. p. 582. + Ibid. 


BALE. 105 


cruel persecution of his popish adversaries. All his 
endeavours to reform the manners of his diocese, to correct 
the lewd practices and debaucheries of the priests, to abolish 
the mass, and to establish the use of the new Book of Common 
Prayer set forth in England, were not only rendered abor- 
tive by the death of King Edward, and the accession of 
Mary, but exposed him so much to the fury of the papists, 
that his life was frequently in the utmost danger. At one 
time in particular, they murdered five of his domestics, who 
were making hay in a meadow near his house; and he 
would in all probability have shared the same fate, if the 
‘governor of Kilkenny had not seasonably interposed by | 
sending a troop of soldiers to his protection. This, how- 
ever, scrved only as a defence against the present outrage. 
‘ It did not in the least allay the fary of his adversaries, who 
were implacably enraged against him for preaching the 
doctrines of the gospel. He could find no permanent 
security among them, and was obliged to flec for safety. He 
did not, indeed, withdraw from the storm till after his books 
and other moveable articles were seized, and he had received 
certain information, that the Romish priests were conspiring 
tu take away his lite. “ot 

Dr. Leland’s reflections are not at all. favourable to the 
memory of our prelate. After calling him the violent and 
acrimonious oppugner of popery, and relating his rigid 
and uncomplying conduct at his consecration, he adds: 
' That Bale insulted the prejudices of his flock without 
reserye, or caution. They were provoked; and not so 
restrained, or awed by the civil power, as to dissemble their 
resentments. . During the short period of his residence in 
Ireland, he lived in a continual state of fear and persecution. 
On his first preaching the reformed doctrines, his clergy 
forsook him, or opposed him; and to such violence were 
the populace raised against him, that five of his domestics 
were slain before his face; and his own life saved only by 
the vigorous interposition of the civil magistrate.. These 
outrages are pathetically related ; but,” he adds, “ we are 
not informed what imprudencies provoked them, or what 
was the intemperate conduct which his adversaries retorted 
with such shocking barbarity.”’+ ° 

When Dr. Bale fled from the fury of his enemies, he 
went first to Dublin, where, for some time, he concealed 
himself. Afterwards, a favourable opportunity offering, 


* Biog. Britan. vol. i, p. 535. 


106 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


he endeavoured to make his escape in a small trading vessel, 
bound for Scotland, but was taken prisoner by the captain 
ef a Dutch man of war, who rifled him of all his money, 
apparel and effects. This ship was driven by distress of 
weather into St. Ives in Cornwall, where our author was 
taken up on suspicion of treason. The accusation was 
brought against him by oue Walter, an Irishman, and 
ilot of the Dutch ship, in hopes of obtaining a share of 
Bale’s money, which was in the captain’s hands. . When 
- our author was brought to his examination before one of the 
bailiffs of the town, he desired the bailiff to ask Walter, 
«¢ How long he had known him? and what treason he 
had committed 2?” These interrogatories being proposed, 
Walter replied, that he had never seen him, nor ever heard 
of him, till he was brought into their ship... Then said the 
bailiff, “ What treason have you known by this honest 
tleman since? For I promise you he looks like an 
est man.” ‘* Marry,” said Walter, “‘ he would have 
fled into Scotland.” “ Why,” said the bailiff, “ know you 
any impediment why he sheuld not have gone into Scotland ? 
If it be treason for a man, having business in Scotland, to go. 
thither, it is more than I knew before.”” Walter was then 
so confounded, that he had nothing more to say.. The 
captain and purser deposed in favour of Bale, assuring the 
bailiff that he was a very honest man, and that Walter was 
a vile fellow, deserving no credit. This they did, lest they 
should be deprived of the money and other articles which 
they had taken from our author. 

Dr. Bale being honourably acquitted, the ship sailed, 
and, in a few days, arrived in Dover road, where he was 
again brought into danger by false accusation. One Martin, 
a Frenchman by birth, but now an English pirate, per- 
suaded the Dutch captain and his crew, that Bale had been 
the principal instrument in pulling down the mass in 
England, and in keeping Dr. Gardit&r, bishop of Win- 
chester, a long time in the Tower; and that he had 
poisoned the king. With this information the captain and 
purser went ashore, carrying with them our author's 
episcopal seal, and two letters sent him from Conrad Gesner 
and Alexander Alesius, with commendations from Pel- 
licanus, Pomeranus, Melancthon, and other celebrated 
reformers, who were desirous to become acquainted with 
the doctrines and antiquities of the English chureh. They 
also took from him the council’s letter of his appointment 
to the bishopric of Ossory. All these things served to 


BALE. | 107 


aggravate the charge. The episcopal seal was construed 
to be a counterfeiting of the king’s seal; the two letters 
were heretical ; and the council’s letter a conspiracy against 
the queen. When the captain returned to the ship, it was 
proposed to send Bale to London; but, after some consul- 
tation, they resolved to send two persons, with information 
-to the privy council. This determination, however, was - 
relinquished, upon Bale’s strong remonstrances to the 
captain, and offering to pay fifty pounds for his ransom, on 
his arrival in Holland. 
_ He was carried into Zealand, and lodged in the house of 
one of the owners of the ship, who treated him with great 
civility and kindness. He had only twenty-six days allowed 
him for raising the money agreed upon. for his ransom, and 
could not obtain the liberty of going abroad to find out his 
friends. In this state of perplexity and distress, he was 
sometimes threatened to be thrown into the common gaol, 
sometimes to be brought before the magistrates, sometimes 
to be left to the examination of the clergy, at other times to 
be sent to London, or to be delivered to the queen’s ambas- 
, sador at Brussels. At length his kind host interposed, and 
‘desired the captain to consider, how far he had exceeded the 
limits of his commission, in thus using a subject of England, 
with which nation they were at peace. This produced the 
desired effect, and the captain was willing to take thirty 
pounds for his ransom, as he should be able to pay it, and 
so discharged him.» 

Dr. Bale having obtained his liberty, retired to Frankfort, 
where he and the other English exiles were favoured by the 
magistrates with the use of one of their churches. Having 
obtained so great a privilege, their next object was to agree 
to certain forms of worship: driven from their own 
country, and now comfortably settled in a foreign land, they 

‘thought it their duty to make certain improvements upon 
the reformation of Ring Edward. They entered, therefore, 
into a mutual and friendly consultation upon the subject, 
and agreed to the following things :—‘‘ Having perused the 
«¢ English liturgy, it was concluded among them, That the 
¢¢ answering aloud after the minister should not be used; the 
“litany, surplice, and many other things also omitted, . 
‘‘ because in the reformed churches abroad such things 
“‘ would seem more than strange. It was further 
“‘ upon, that the minister, in the room of the English con- 


# Biog. Britan. vol. i. p. 583. 


108 ‘LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


& fession, should use another, both ef more effect, and alse 
«< framed according to the state and time. And the same 
“ ended, the people tosing a psalm in metre in a plain tune, 
¢¢ as was and is accustomed in the French, Dutch, Italian, 
¢¢ Spanish and Scottish churches: that done, the minister to 
“ pray for the assistance of God's Holy Spirit, and to pro- 
“ ceed to the sermon. Afler the sermon, a general prayer 
¢¢ for all estates, and for our country of England, was 
‘¢ devised: at the end of which prayer was joined the Lord's 
“¢ prayer, and a rchearsal of the articles of belief; which 
‘‘ ended, the people to sing another psalm as afore. ‘Then 
‘¢ the minister pronouncing this blessing, ‘The peace of God, 
‘© &c. or some other of like effect, the peuple to depart. 
“ And as touching the ministration of the sacraments, sundry 
‘¢ things were also by common consent omitted, as supersti- 
“ tious and superfluous,» 

* Our learned and pious divine undoubtedly took an active 
part in the formation of the church at.Frankfort. The pious 
exiles having comfortably settled their new congregation, 
entered into a friendly corre-pondence with their brethren 
who had settled at other places. In their letter addressed 
to the exiles at Strasburgh, signed by Jobn Bale, William. 
Whittingham, John Fox, and fourteen others, they conclade 
by saying: “ We have a church freely granted to preach 
“ God’s word purely, to minister the sacraments sincerely, 
“and to execute discipline truly. And as touching our 
“© book, we will practice it so far as God’s word doth assure 
“ it, and the state of this country permit.”+ They wrote 
also to their brethren who had fled to other places, signifying 
how comfortably they were settled, and inviting them to 
Frankfort. Upon the arrival of Dr. Cox } and his friends, 


* Troubles of Frankeford, p.3. + Ibid. p. 20. 

+ Dr. Richard Cox had been preceptor and almoner to Kiang Edward, 
and dean of Oxford and Westminster, but was now fed from the persecution 
of Queen Mary. He was a high churchinan, a bigot to the English ceremo- 
nies, and of too imperious a disposition. On his retarn home, Queer 
Elizabeth made him Bishop of Ely, which he enjoyed to his death. He 
scrupled for some time to officiate in the royal chapel, on account of the 
queen’s retaining the crucifix, with lights on the altar; and when he cone 
sented, it was, he said, with a trembling conscience. He was violent in his 
Opposition aginst the puritans, as well in his own country, as at Frankfort. He 
wrote to Archbishop Parker, t» go on vigorously in reclaiming or punishing 
them, and not be disheartene’ by the frowns of those court-favourites wha 
protectea them ; assuring him, that he might expect the blessing of God on - 
his vious labours. When the privy council interposed in favour ef the 
puritans, and endeavoured to skreen thew. from pufishment, he wrotea bold . 
letter to the Lord Treasurer Burivigh; in which he warmly expostulated 
with the council, for meddling with the affairs of the church, which, he 


BALE. 109 


sho broke through the conditions of the new-formed church, 
interrupted the peace of the congregation, and, in effect, 
drove them from the city, they fied to other places. Dr. 
Bale retired to Basil in Switzerland, where he remained until 
the death of Queen Mary. The church at Basil was also 
exercised with contentions, of which our author, in a letter 
toone of his friends, gives.a very deplorable account, severely 
censuring those who were of a contentious spirit.* 

Though we have already mentioned Dr. Bale as an 
author, it will be proper to renew the subject. He pub- 
lished a celebrated wark, containing the lives of the most 
eminent writers of Great Brit Jt came out at three 
different times. He first pul ed his ‘ Summarium 
illustrium §majoris Brytannia Scriptorum,” Wesel, 1549, 
This was addressed to King Edward, and contained only fice 
centuries of writers. Afterwards he alded four more, and 
made several additions and corrections through the whole, 
work. The book thus enlarged, was entitled ¢¢ Scriptorum 
illustrium majoris Brytanniz, quam nunc Angliam et 

iam vacant, Catalogus; a Japhito per 3618 annos 
usque ad annum hunc Domini 1557,” &c. It was come 
pleted and printed at Basil, while the author was in a state 
of exile. ‘Lhe writers, whose lives are contained in this 


celebrated work, are those of Gircat Britain, including 
England and Scotland. ‘The work commences from Japhet, 


one of the sons of Noah, and is carried down through a 
series af 3618 years, to the year of our Lord 1557. Itis 
collected from’ a t variety of authors: as, Barosus, 
Gemnadius, Bede, Honorius, Boston of Bury, Frumentarius, 
ve, Bostius, Burellus, Trithemius, Gesner, and our 

great antiquary Jobn Leland. _ It consists of nine centuries, 
Comprising the antiquity, ‘in, annals, places, successes, 
andthe most remarkable actions, sayings, anil writings of each 
author, in the whole of which a due regard is had to chro- 
; and with this particular view, “‘ That the actions 

of the reprobate as well as the elect ministers of the church 
may historically and aptly correspond with the mysteries 
described in the Revelation, the stars, angels, horses, trume 
Pets, thunderings, heads, horns, mountains, vials, and 
I yage of the same church.” There are 

r ofthe bishops. He, also, admo~ 

‘own sphere; and told them, that 

pned'to interpose in matters not 

ol. 4. p. L61.—Biog. Britam 


150 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


appendices to many of the articles; also an account of 
such actions of the contemporary popes as are omitted by 
their flatterers, Carsulanus, Platina, and the like ; together 
with the actions of the monks, particularly those of the 
mendicant order, who, he pretends, are meant by the locusts 
in Revelation ix. 3,7. Tothe appendixes is added a per- 
petual succession both of the holy fathers and the antichrists 
of the church, with instances from the histories of various 
nations and countries; in order to expose their adulteries, 
debaucheries, strifes, seditions, sects, deceits, polsonings, 
murders, treasons, and innumerable impostures. 

book is dedicated to Otho Henry, Prince Palatine of the 
Rhine, Duke of both Bavarias, and Elector of the Roman 
Empire; dated from Basil in September, 1557. Our 
learned divine was, therefore, laboriously employed while 
in a foreign land. 

In the month of February, 1559, he published a new 
edition of this celebrated work, with the addition of 
more centuries, making in all fourteen ; to which is pre- 

an account of the writers before the deluge the 
birth of Christ, with a description of England from Paulus 
Jovius, George Lilly, John Leland, Andrew Althamerus, 
and others. This impression is dedicated to Count Zkradin 
and Dr. Paul Scalechius of Lika.» 

On the accession of Queen Elizabeth, Dr. Bale returned 
to England, but not to his bishopric in Ireland. The queen, 
during her minority, and while exercised with troubles 
under her sister Mary, shewed the highest respect for him, 
and even honoured him by sending him a book which she 
had translated into French. It was too manifest, however, 
that she afterwards drew her affections from him: but. 
whether this was on account of the puritanical principles 
which’ he imbibed while abroad, or from some other cause, 
we do not undertake to determine. During the few years’ 
that he lived under her majesty’s government, he contented 
himself with a prebend in the church of Canterbury, where 
he continued the rest of his days, still refusing to accept of 
his bishopric. ‘“ One may wonder,” says Fuller, ‘ that 
being so learned a man, who had done and suffered so much 
for religion, higher promotion was not forced n him; - 
‘seeing about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, 
bishoprics went about begging able men to receive them.”+ 

It ought to be recollected, that many of the pious- 


* Biog. Britan. vol. i. p. 533,534. 
+ Fuller’s Worthies, part iii. p. 61. 


BALE. ° ett 


‘ seformers, while in a state of exile, and living amonp 
forcign protestants, were led to examine more minutely the 
grand principles of the reformation; and they acted upen 
those principles, as we have already observed, while dwelliag 
in a foreign land. Nor did they forget their principles.on 
their return to their native country. Notwithstanding thei 
want of success, they constantly endeavoured, as the times 
would permit, to obtain a more pure reformation of the. 
iinglish church. This. was the case with Dr. Bale, and: 
was undoubtedly the reason of his refusing to accept his: 
_ former preferment. Though it does not appear that he’ 

gave his reasons for this refusal; yet it is evident, says our: 
author, that, while he was a zealous opposer of the Romish- 
superstitions, he was a leading person among the none 
conformists, and was against the use of the ish. rites 
and ceremonies: he opposed the divine institution of 
bishops, and was a zealous advocate for the discipline off 
the foreign reformed churches. It was a settled principle 
‘with him, that the government of the church by bishops, 
did not exist till the beginning of the seventh century. 
‘These are his own words :—“ In the year 607, the church: 
‘‘ began to be ruled by the policy and government of 
‘* bishops, which government was especially devised and 
<‘ invented by the monks.”* From the above facts, Dr. 
Bale, with great justice, stands first on the list of our 
puritan worthies. He was summoned to assist in the con- 
secration of Archbishop Parker, but refused to attend, ne 
doubt on account of his puritanical principles.+ He died 
at Canterbury in the month of November, 1565, aged sixty-. 
eight years ; and his remains were interred in the cathedral 
at that place.t Several of our historians are greatly mis-- 
taken in both the time and place of his death.s . 

The character of no man has been more variously repre- 
sented than that of our author, as will appear from the 
different testimonies concerning him. Bishop Montague 
censures him for his unjustifiable freedom in speaking and 
writing; yet he thinks him of credit and weight in many 
things. Valerius Andreas calls him an impious wretch and 
a wicked apostate ; but at the same time allows him his merit: 
as a writer. Vossius charges hini with disingenuity in his 
accounts of ancient writers. But of all the authors, who" 
have censured Bale, no one has fallen upon him with 


* MS. Chronology, vol. i. p. 49, (2.) + Strype’s Parker, p. 54. 
+ Biog. Britan. vol. i. p. 534. 
§ Lupton’s Modern Divines, p. 201.—Fuller’s Worthies, part iil. p. 63. 


112 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


severity than his follower John Pits. The following 
are some of those invenomed arrows which he has shot at 
him :—** This writer,” says he, ‘‘ did not so much enlarge 
Leland’s catalogue, as corrupt it in a monstrous manner. 
For he has stuffed it full of lies and calumnies, and spoiled 
Leland’s work, by his own barbarous style. He says many 
things worthy, indeed, of the mind and mouth of an 
heretic, but absolutely void of all civility and moral honesty, 
some things plainly unworthy of a christian ear.—If we_ 
except his slanders against men, and his blasphemies against 
God, the poor wretch has nothing of his own, which 
deserves our notice.—l hoped to bave found at least 
some gem of antiquity in that dunghill: but more unlucky - 
than Esop’s cock, I was disappointed in my expectation.” 
He brands him with the name of Baal, and calls him an 
apostate Carmelite monk, and a married priest. Such are 
the foul accusations brought against our divine, by this 
bigotted papist. Wharton charges Bale with paying very 
little regard to truth, provided he could increase the number 
of enemies to the Romish church; and adds, that, for the 
most part, he settled the chronology of the English writers 
with his eyes shut. Bishop Nicolson says: ‘* The ground- 
plot of his famous work was borrowed from Leland; and 
the chief of his own superstructure is malicious and bitter 
Invectives against the papists.”* 

It will be proper on the contrary to observe, that Gesner 
denominates Bale “ a writer of the greatest diligence ;” and 
. Bishop Godwin gives him the character of a laborious 
inquirer into the British antiquities. Dr. Lawrence 
Humphrey says, that Vergerius, Platina, and Luther, have 
discovered many errors and frauds of the papists; but that 
Bale hath detected them all. Valentine Henry Vogler says, 
“¢ it will be less matter of wonder, that Bale inveighs with 
so much asperity against the power of the pope, when it 
is considered that England was more grievously oppressed, 
- by the tyranny of the holy see, than any other kingdom. _ 
‘Fhough he rendered himself so odious to the papists, his 
very enemies could not help praising his Catalogue of 
English writers.”’+ . 

It is generally allowed that Bale’s sufferings from the 
popish party, is some apology for his severe treatment of 
them: He wrote with all the warmth of one who had 
escaped the flames. Granger observes, that his intemperate 


* Biog. Britan. vol. i. Be 535. + Ibid. p. 594. 


BALE. 118 


geal often carries him beyond the bounds of decency and 
candour, in his accounts of the papists. Anthony Wood 
styles him *¢ the foul-mouthed Bales”s but, the above writer 
adds, some of his foul language translated into English, 
would appear to be of the same import with many expres- 
‘sions used by that writer himself.+ Perhaps some allowance 
ought to be made not only for his resentment of what he had 
suffered, but for the age in which he lived. It would be 
doing him reat injustice, to form our ideas of him from the 
popish authors, many of whom were exceedingly exaspe- 
rated against him, on account of the vehemence with 
which he had attacked the errors and superstitions of the 


papal see, ' 

. Bale’s writings are prohibited by the church of Rome, 
among those of the first class of heretical books. The 
Index Expurgatorius, published at Madrid in 1667, calls 
him a most impudent and scurrilous writer against the see 
of Rome, the Mass, the Eucharist, and one that is per- 
petually breathing out poison; for which, it forbids the 
reading of his works forever.t His writings were numerous, 
a list of which, according to the subjects, is given below: 
the exact titles cannot now be ascertained. 


His Works, while he was a papist.—1. A Bundle of Things worth 
knowing.—2. The Writers from Elias.—3. The Writers from Berthold. 
—4, Additions to Trithemius.—5. German Collections.—6, French 
Collections.—7. English Collections.—8. Divers Writings of divers 
Jearned Men.—9. A Catalogue of Generals.—10. The Spiritual War. 
—1l1. The Castle of Peace.—12. Sermons for Children.—13. To the 
Synod of Hull.—14. An Answer to certain Questions.—15. Addition 
to Palaonydorus.—16. The History of Patronage.—17. The Story of 
Simon the Englishman.—18. The Story of Francus Senensis.—19. 
The Story of St. Brocard.--20. A Commentary on Mantuan’s Preface 
to his Fasti. 

He wrote the following after he renounced popery :—1. The Heliades 
of the English.—2. Notes on the three Tomes of Walden.—3. On his 
Bundle of Tares.—4. On Polydore de Rerum Inventionibus.—5. On 
Textor’s Officina.—6. On Capgrave’s Catalogue——7. On Barnes's 


Lives of the Popes.—8. The Acts of the Popes of Rome.—9. A ° 


Translation of Thorp’s Examination.—10. The Life of John Baptist. 
—11. Of John Baptist’s Preaching.j{—12. Of Christ’s Temptation.— 


* Wood’s Athene, vol. i. p. 60. 
+ Granger’s Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 139, 140. 
é Biog. Britan. vol. i. p. 535. 

The title of this piece is, ‘* A Comedy, or Interlude, of Joban 
Baptyst’s Preachynge in the Wildernesse; opening the Crafts of Hypo- 
crytes,” and is printed in the ‘‘ Harleian Miscellany.” ‘‘ There was 
time,” says Mr. Granger, ‘‘ when the lamentable comedies of Bale were 
acted with applause. He tells us, in the account of his vocation to the 
bisbopric of Osory, that his comedy of John Baptist’s Preaching, and bis 

VOL. I. I 


114 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


13. Two Comedies of Christ's Baptism and Temptations—14 A 
Comedy of Christ at twelve years old —15. A Comedy of the Raa 

of Lazarus.—16. A Comedy of the High Priest’s Council.—17. A 
Comedy of Simon the Leper.—i8. A Comedy of the Lord's Sapper, 
and the Washing of the Disciples Feet—19. Two Comedies (or 
rather Tragedies) of Christ’s Passion —20. Two Comedies of Christ's 
Barial and Resuarrection—21 A Poem of God's Promises.—22. 
Against those that pervert God's Word.—23. Of the C ting of 
God's Laws.—24. Agaimst Carpers and Traducers.—25. A 


translated into English.—32. i 

on St. John’s Apocalypse.—34. A Loeupletation of the 

35. Wickliffe’s War with the Papists.—36. Sir John Oldcastie’s 

—37. An Apology for Barnes.—38. A Defence of Grey cpuinat Seaith, 
—30. John Lambert's Confession.—40. Anne Askew’s Martyrdem.— 
41. Of Luther’s Decease.—12. The Bishops Alcoran —43. The Man 
of Sin.—44. The Mystery of Iniquity—45. Against Anti-Christa, er 
False Christs.—46. Against Baal’s Priests, or Baalamites.—47. Against 
the Clergy’s Singie Life.—48. A teh of Popish Vows and Priest- 
hood.—49. The Acts of Engtish Votarsies, in it i Drak Of 


A Week before God.—60. Of his Calling to a Bishopric. 61. Of 
Leland’s Journal, or an Abridgement of Leland, with Additions.— 
62. A Translation of Sebald Heyden’s Apology against Salve Regina. 
—63. A ‘Translation of Gardiner’s Oration of true Obedience, and 
Bonner’s Epistle before it, with a Preface to it, Notes on it, and am 
Epilogue to the Reader. —But his most capital work was his Lives 
of the Writers, already noticed.—Bale’s Collcctanea is 

among the Cottoncan Manuscripts, and now deposited in the British 

useum, 


Joun Putvain, B. D.—This zealous reformer was bom 
in Yorkshire, in the year 1517, and educated first in New 
college, then in Christ’s college, Oxford. He was a famous 
preacher, and a celebrated i ormer, in the days of King Ed. 
ward VI. He became rector of St. Peter’s, Cornhill , London, 
in the year 1552, but suffered deprivation in 1555.+ U 
the commencement of Queen Mary’s bloody persecation; 
he did not immediately flee, but endured the stom for some 


Tragedy of God’s Promises, were acted by young men at the market-cross 
of Kilkenny, upon a Sunday. Surely this tragedy must be as ex 
a composition, in its kind, as his comedies.”—Granger’s Biog. Hist. 
vo p.1 
* This work is entitled “‘ The Vocacyon of Johan Bale to the Bishopric ' 
of Ossorie in Irelande, his persecutions in the same, and finall Delyverance.” 
+ Newcourt’s Repert. Eccl. vol. i. p. 92. 


PULLAIN. 115 


time. Having no prospect of enjoying his public ministry, 
and being deeply concermed for his persecuted countrymen, 
he continued to labour in private as he found an 
portunity. He preached and administered the Lord’s 
supper, about a year, to the protestant congregation, which 
assembled in private places, in and about the city of 
“The pee f the be ngth, 
e cution of the protestants becoming, at le 
_ extremely hot, and Mr. Pullain finding himself most pro- 
bably in danger of the fire, he fled into a foreign land, and 
became an exile at Geneva; where he became a member of 
the English congregation, and abode during the remainder 
of the bloody queen’s reign. The news of the queen’s 
death, and of the accession of Queen Elizabeth, gladdened 
the hearts of all the worthy exiles. On this occasion, Mr. 
Pullain united with his brethren at Geneva, in their letter of 
: ulation, addressed to their fellow-exiles at Arrau, 
Basil, Strasburgh, Frankfort, and other places.+ Upon the 
‘eception of the joyful news, he immediately prepared to 
return home; and was no sooner arrived in his native 
country, than he resumed his zealous ministerial labours. 
But he had not continued long in his beloved work, before 
_ he received a sudden check. For the new queen havin 
issued her royal proclamation prohibiting all preaching, till 
all the affairs of the church were finally settled, this worthy 
servant of Christ was taken into custody at Colchester, and 
sent prisoner up to London. His crime was that of preach- 
ing when pfohibited by the queen ; but our historian does 
not say what further prosecution he underwent. 

Towards the close of the year 1559, Mr. Pullain became 
rector of Capford in Essex, which he kept to his death.¢ 
About the same time, he was made Archdeacon of Cul- 
chester. He sat in the famous convocation of 1562, and 
subscribed the articles of religion.| He was an avowed 
enemy to all popery and superstition; and, therefore, was 
much grieved at the imperfect state in which the reformation 
rested, and the severe proceedings of the prelates which 
immediately followed. He was ever anxious to have the 
church purged of all its corruptions and antichristian cere- 
monies, and for its discipline and government, as well as its 


* Fox’s Martyrs, vol. iii. p. 525.—Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 292. 
+ Troubles at Frankeford, p. 160—162. 

~  } Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 44. 
§ Newcourt’s Repert. Eccl. vol, ii. p. 192. 
4 Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 289. 


116 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


doctrine, to be regulated by the word of God alone. These 
things made so deep an impression upon his mind, as 
brought a complaint upon his body, of which he died in the 
month of July, 1565, aged forty-eight years. He was a 
truly pious man, a constant preacher, a learned divine, a 
thorough puritan, and an admired English and Latin poet.» 
He published “ A Tract against the Arians,” and several 
translations of the works of other learned men. 


Joun Harpyrman, D.D.—He was educated at Can- 
‘bridge, where he took his degrees; and was made preacher 
at St. Martin’s church, Ironmonger-lane, London, in the 
reign of Henry VIII., when he came forwards openly and 
boldly in the cause of the reformation. He preached 
publicly, “ That confession to priests, was confusion ; that 
the ceremonies of the church being the superstitious inven+ 
tions of men, ought to be abhorred; that to esteem any 
internal virtue in the sacrament, was mischievous and rob- 
bing God of his gléry; and that faith in Christ, without 
any other sacrament, was suflicient for justification ;” for 
which, in the year 1541, he was presented and most pro- 
bably deprived.+ ‘The Oxford historian, with his usual 
bitterness against the puritans, says, that he ran with the 
mutable times of Henry VIII., Edward VI., Queen Mary, 
and Queen Elizabeth. However, the above account of his 
suffering persecution for the avowal of his principles, shews 
that this account is not altogether correct. Though it does 
not appear whether he ever changed his sentiments, it is 
certain that upon the accession of Elizabeth, he was still a- 
zealous protestant, and still desirous to carry forwards the 
reformation. In the year 1560, the queen appointed him 
one of the twelve prebendaries of Westminster ; and. about 
the same time, he became famous for his puritanical princi- 
ples, and distinguished himself in the cause of the reforma- 
tion. He was not, indeed, like too many of the clergy, who 
rested in the reformation of King Edward, or even in, that 
which fell short of it; but laboured to carry on the work to 
perfection. He wished, with the rest of, the puritanical 
reformers, to have the church thoroughly purged of all the 
remnants of antichrist. But his zeal for nonconformity 
presently exposed him ‘to the.resentment and persecution of 
the ruling prelates; and in the year 1567, he was summofied 


* MS. Chronology, vol. i. p. 185. (6.) 
+ Fox’s Martyrs, vol. ii. p. 450. 


HARDYMAN—COVERDALE. 417 


before the high commission, and deprived.of his benefice’ 
He is charged with breaking down the altars, and defacin 
the ancient utensils and ornaments belonging to the church 
of Westminster ;+ but with what degree of justice we are 
unable to ascertain. BO 


Mies Coverpae, D. D.—This celebrated purifan was 
born in Yorkshire, in the year 1486, and educated in the 
university of Cambridge. Being brought up in the popish 
religion, he became an Augustine monk at the place of his 
education, where Dr. Barnes was prior, who was afterwards 
burnt for pretended heresy. He took his doctor’s degree at 
Tubingen, in Germany, and was incorporated in the same 
at Cambridge. At an early period in the reign of Henry VHI., 
he cast off the shackles of popery, and became a zealous and 
an avowed protestant. en the king quarrelled with the 

ope, and renounced the authority ot Rome, he is said to 

ave been one of the first who preached the gospel in its 
purity, and wholly devoted himself to promote the reformed 
feligion.+ In the year 1528, he preached at Burnsted in 
Essex, when he declared openly against the popish mass, 
the worship of images, and auricular confession. He main- 
tained that contrition for sin, betwixt God and a man’s own 
conscience, was sufficient of itself, without any confession to 
a priest. His zealous and faithful labours at this place were 
not in vain: It is preserved on authentic record, that he 
was the honoured instrument of turning one Thomas Topley,. 
afterwards a martyr, {rom the superstitions and errors of 
‘ popery, to the true protestant faith.t. 
- Coverdale having espoused the same opinions as Dr. 
Barnes, and finding himself in danger of the fire, fled, not 
long after the above period, beyond sea, and lived for some 
time in Holland, where he chiefly applied himself.to the 
- study and translation of the holy scriptures.§ In the year 
1529, the famous Mr. William Tindal having finished his: 
translation of the Pentateuch, wished to have it printed at 
Hamburgh ; but in crossing the sea, the ship was wrecked, 
when he lost all his money and papers: and so had to begin 
the work afresh. Upon his arrival at Hamburgh, his friend 
Coverdale, who was waiting for him, assisted him in writing 

* Wood’s Athene Oxon. vol. i. p. 692. 

+ Clark’s Lives annexed to Martyrologie, p. 3. 


{ Fox’s Martyra, vol. ii. p. 20. 
§ Lewis’s Hist. of Translations, p. 23. Edit, 1731. . 


118 .  ZLIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


a new translation.» In the year 1535, (some by mistake say 
-1532,) Tindal and Coverdale translated and published the 
. whole Bible, the first that was ever printed in the English 
la e. It was printed at Hamburgh, by Grafton and 
Whitchurch, when Mr. John Rogers, afterwards the proto- 
martyr, corrected the press. This first English translation 
was called Matthew's Bible, a fictitious name, and was 
dedicated. by Coverdale to King Henry.t The form of 
dedication is preserved by Mr. Strype;¢ in which our reve- 
rend author expressed himself in the following manner : 


«¢ Unto the moost victorious prynce and our moost gra- 
“ cyous soverygne lorde Kynge Henry eyghth, kynge of 
“ Englande and of Fraunce, lorde of Irelande, &c. defen- 
. dour of the fayth; and under God the chefe and suppreme 
<< heade of the church of Englande. The ryght and just 
‘¢ administracyon of the lawes that God gave unto Moses and 
<¢ Josua: the testimonye of faythfulness that God gave to 
“ David: the plenteous abundaunce of wysdome that God 
<¢ gave unto Solomon: the lucky and prosperous “ee with 
‘¢ the multiplicacyon of sede which God gave to Abraham 
‘Cand Sara his wyfe, be given unto you, moost gracyous 
‘¢ prynce, with your dearest just wyfe and moost vertuous 
‘¢ pryncesse Quene Jane. Amen. 

‘© Your graces humble subjecte and daylye oratour, 
“ Myes CoveRDALE.” 


In this dedication he tells his majesty, that the blind 
bishop of Rome no more knew what he did when he gave 
this title, Defender of the Faith, than the Jewish bishop 
Caiaphas when he taught, that it was better to put Christ to 
death, than that all the people should perish: that the pope 

ve him this title, only because his highness suffered his 

ishops to burn God’s word, and ta persecute the lovers and 
ministers of it; whereas, he openly declared, that by the 
righteous administration of his majesty, the faith ought to be 
so defended, that God’s word, the mother of faith, should. 
have its free course through all christendom, but especially 
in these realms: and that his majesty should, indeed, defend 
the faith; yea, even the true faith of Christ, not dreams, not 
- fables, not heresy, not papistical inventions, but the uncor- 
rupt faith of God’s most holy word, to set forth which, his 
highness, with his most honourable council, applied all gtudy 
and endeavour, : 


* Fox's Martyrs, vol. ji, p. 308 + Ibid. p. 434: 
z Annals, vol, ii, Appen. p. 48. ° ° 


COVERDALE. WS 


’ He next observes to his majesty, that as the word of God 
is the only truth that driveth away all error, and discovereth 
all juggling and deceit ; therefore, is the Balaam of Rome 
so loath to have the scriptures known in the mother-tongue, 
lest by kings and princes becoming acquainted with them, 
they should again claim and challenge their due authority, 
which hath been falsely usurped for many years; and lest 
the people, being taught by the word of God, should 
renounce their feigned obedience to him and his disguised 
apostles, and observe the true obedience commanded by 
God’s own mouth, and not embrace his painted religion. 

As to the present translation, Coverdale observes here, and 
in his epistle to the reader, that it was neither his labour nor 
desire to have this work put into his hand, but that being 
instantly required to undertake it, and the Holy Ghost 
moving other men to be at the cost thereof, he was the more 
bold to take it in hand. He considered how great pity it 
was, that the English should want such a translation so long, 
and called to his remembrance the adversity of those, who 
‘were not only endowed with right xnowledge, but would 

with all their hearts, have pérformed that which they had 
begun, if no impediment had been in the way. Therefore, 
as he was desired, he took the more upon him, as he said, to 
set forth this special translation, not as a reprover or despiser 
of other mens’ labours, but lowly and faithfully following 
his interpreters, and that under correction, Of these, he 
said, he made use of five different ones, who had translated 
the scriptures, not only into’ Latin, but also into Dutch. 
He made this declaration, that he had acither wrested nor 
altered so much as one word, for the maintenance of any 
manner of sect, but had with a clear conscience, purely and 
_ faithfully translated out of tne foregoing interpreters, having 
' only the manifest scriptures before his eyes, , 
his translation was divided into six tomes or parts, and 
Coverdale prefixed to every book the contents of the several 
chapters, and not to the particular chapters, which was done 
afterwards. It is adorned throughout with wooden cuts, 
and in the margin are scripture references. In the last page 
it is said, * Prynted in the yeare of ovr Lorde M.p.xxxv. 
and fynished the fourth day of October.” This Bible was 
reprinted in 1550, and again in 1553.» 

In the year 1537, the Bible was published a second time 

in English, entitled ‘<The Bible, which is all the Holy 


- * Lewis’s Hist, ef Translations, p. 23-25. 


120 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Scripture, in which are contayned the Olde and Newe 
Testament, truelye and purelye translated into English.” 
The translators were Tindal and Coveidale. John Rogers 
is said to have had a share in it; but this appears incor- 
rect. From the end of the Chronicles ta the end of the 
Apocrypha was Coverdale’s, and the rest was Tindal's. 
This was called ‘“‘ The Great Bible,”’* but it did not come 
forth till after Tindal’s death.+ 

The New Testament was afterwards printed in Latin 
and English in quarto, with the following title: “ The 
Newe Testament both in Latine and Englishe eche corre- 

ndent to the other after the vulgare Text communely 
called St. Jerome’s. Faithfully translated by Johan Holly- 
bushe anno m.ccccc.xxxvit.” This was Coverdale’s 
translation, which he gave Hollybushe leave to print. It 
was dedicated “ To the moost noble, moost gracious, and 
‘‘ our moost dradde soveraigne lord Kynge Henry the 
“eyght, kynge of England and of Fraunce, defender of 
‘¢ Christ’s true fayth, and under Gop the chefe and su e 
‘¢ heade of the church of Englande, Irelande, &c.” In the 
dedication, he tells his majesty, ‘“‘ that oon of the chiefest 
causes why he did now with moost humble obedience dedi- 
cate and offre thys translation of the New Testament unto 
his moost royall majesty, was his highnesse’s so lovingly 
and favourably taking his infancy and rudeness in dedi- 
cating the whole Bible in Englysh to his most noble 

race.” : 

This translation, as Coverdale says, was sinistrally 
printed and negligently corrected. He, therefore, the next 
year, 1539, published another edition in Svo., which he 
dedicated ‘¢ To the right honourable Lorde Cromwell lorde 
“ prevye seale, vicegerent to the kynge’s hyghnesse concer- 
“ nynge all his jurisdiccion ecclesiastical] within the realme 
“ of Englande.”’} 

In the year 1538, Lord Cromwell procured letters from. 


* Lewis’s Hist. of Translations, p. 26.—Strype’s Cranmer, p. 82. 
+ William Tindal, deservedly styled ‘* The Apostle of England,” was 
, the first who translated the New Testament into English, from the original 
Greek, This translation waz printed at Antwerp, in 1526; when Bishop 
Tonstal and Sir Thomas Moore purehased all the impression, and bernt 
them at Paul’scross. The sale of this impression enabled the translater te 
print a larger, and more correct edition. Tindal was burnt for.ap heretic 
Kine arin ne es in 1530 gying at the stake, “‘ Lord, open the 
ing o gland’s eyes.” —Fox’s Martyrs, vol, ii. p. 80I— Sirype 
Cranmer, p. 81. y gre volsAl pe 80F-906-— . 


} Lewis’s Hist. of Translations, p. 27, 28, _ 


COVERDALE. 121 


Henry VIII. to the King of France, soliciting his licenseand 
allowance for printing the English Bible in the university of 
Paris, since it could be done there to much greater advantage 
than in England. The King of France granting the privilege, 
the work was immediately undertaken; and as Coverdale was 
a person eminently qualified for the office, he was appointed 
to superintend the press. He also compared the former 
translations with the original Hebrew and Greek, maki 
the requisite alterations and amendments. When the wor 
was nearly completed, the printer was convened before the 
tribunal of the Inquisition, and charged with heresy. 
Coverdale and others were sent for; but, aware of the 
approaching storm, they fled for their lives, and left their 
Bibles behind them, to the number of two thougfnd five 
hundred. Thus, he narrowly escaped the rack, the fire, 
or some equally cruel torture. 

‘As the heretical translator could not be found, the Bibles 
were all seized, and committed to the care of one Lieutenant 
Criminal, to be burnt at Paris; but instead of casting the 
whole of them to the flames, be, through covetousness, sold 
four great fats full of them to an haberdasher, as waste 
paper, of whom they were afterwards purchased. All the 
rest were publicly burnt at Paris. Afterwards Lord Crom~ 
well* went himself to Paris, when he procured the printing- 
press, and brought the servants of the printer to London, 
where the remaining part of the Bible was printed, though 
not without much opposition from the bishops.t+ 

The first publication of the Bible in English roused the 
malice and ill-will of the bigotted prelates. Their anger 
and jealousy being awakened, they laid their complaints 
before the king ; who, in compliance with their suggestions, 
ordered all the copies to be called in, and promised them.a 
new translation. And when the translation in 1537, called 
Coverdale’s translation, came forth, the bishops told Henry, 


* Thomas Lord Cromwell was the son of a blacksmith at Putney, and 
some time served as a soldier in Italy, under the Duke of Bourbon. He 
was afterwards secretary to Cardinal Wolsey ; and recommended himself 
to Henry VIII. by discovering that the clergy were privately absolved 
from their oath to him, and sworn anew to the pope. This discovery 
farnished the king with a pretence for the suppression of monasteries, in 
- which Cromwell was 2 principal instrament. The king, whose mercies 

were cruel, raised him to a most envied pitch of honour and preferment, a 
little before his fall. He first amused him with an agreeable prospect, and 
then pushed him down a precipice. Cromwell, as vicegerent, had the 
precedence of all great officers of state; but lost his head July 28, 1540.— 
Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 86. 

+ Fox’s Martyrs, vol, it. p. 434, 435,—Lewis’s Hist. of Trans. p. 29. 


_ _ cuted for his pains. ‘I 


1992 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


that there were many faults in it. His majesty asked them 
whether it contained any heresies; and when the bishops 
said they had found none, the king replied, ‘‘ Then in the 
name of God let it go abroad among the people.’ 

Coverdale’s immense labours in publishing the various 
translations of the scriptures, exposed him to the wrath of 
the English bishops, by whom he was most severely perse- 

he an ry prelates hunted him from 

place to place, which obliged im to flee from the storm, 
and continue many years in a foreign land. While ina 
state of exile, he printed the Bible, and sent it to be sold in 
England, by which means he obtained a comfortable 
support. This, however, could not long be concealed from 
the jealous eye of the Bishop of London ; who no sooner 
found what Coverdale was doing, than he inquired where 
the Bibles were sold, and bought them all up: supposing 
by this means he should be able to suppress their circulation. 
: But God so ordered it, contrary to the prelate’s ex tions, 
that the merchant of whom the Bibles were purchased, sent 
the money to Coverdale; whereby he was enabled to print 
more, and send them over to England.+ This, indeed, 
roused the fury of the angry prelates, who, by their out- 
_ Stretched arms, reached him even in Holland; and to escape 
their potent malice, he was obliged to retire into Germany. 
He settled under the palsgrave of the Rhiene, where he found 
much favour. Here, upon his first settlement, he taught 
school for a subsistence. But haying afterwards learned the 
Dutch language, the Prince Elector Palatine conferred upon 
him the benefice of Burghsaber, where his faithful ministry 
and holy life weré made a blessing to the people. During 
his continuance in this situation, he was maintained rtly 
by his benefice, and partly by Lord Cromwell, his Sherat 
and worthy benefactor.t a 

Upon the accession of Edward VI. the tyrannicat eruelties 
of King Henry began immediately to relax; the prison 

* Strype’s Cranmer, p. 444.—Burnet’s Hist. Abridged, vol. iii. p. 31. 

+ Clark’s Lives, p. 3. . 

¢ Caverdale was almoner to Queen Katharine Parr, the last wife of 
Henry VIII., and a great friend to the reformation. In the month of 
September 1548, he officiated at her funeral, and preached a sermon on the 
occasion; in which he declared, ‘‘ That there shulde none there thinke, 
** saye, or spread abrode, that the offeringe which was there don anyo thing 
** to proffyth the deade, but for the poore onlye; and also the lights which 
$* were carried and strode abowte thé corps, were for the benneur of .the 
** person, and for none other intente nor purpose; and so wente throughe 


** with his sermonde, and made a godlye prayer,” &c.— Biographia Britan. 
vo). iv. p. 310, S11. Edit. 1778. | 


COVERDALE. | 123 


doors were set open ; and those who had been driven into 
state of exile, returned home. Among the last, was Dr. 
Miles Coverdale. Not long after his return, he became 
chaplain to Lord Russel, in his expedition to suppress the 
insurrection in Devonshire. For his excellent labours and 
behaviour ‘on this occasion, he was highly extolled by the 
famous Peter Martyr.» In the year 1551, he, though a 
married man, was made Bishop of Exeter, being promoted 
“Son account of his extraordinary knowledge in divinity, 
and his ‘unblemished character.” His consecration was 
performed at Lambeth, by Archbishop Cranmer.+ The 
tollowing is King Edward’s letter patent nominating him to 
the bishopric : 

‘¢ The king to all to whom the presents shall come 
“ greeting. hereas the bishopric of Exon is without a 
“‘ bishop, and is destitute of a fit pastor, by the free resig- 
“nation of John late bishop of that place, and doth by 
“‘ yight belong to our collation and donation. We willin 
<< to collate another fit person to the bishopric aforesaid 
“Cand judging our well-beloved Miles Coverdale, professor 
“of divinity, for his signal learning in the scriptures, and 
<¢ for his most approved manners, wherewith he is endowed, 
<< to be a fit man for the place and office aforesaid. Know 
‘6 ye, therefore, that we of our special grace, and certain 
‘© knowledge, and mere motion, have conterred, given, and 
‘¢ granted, and by these presents do confer, give, and grant, 
“to the aforesaid Miles Coverdale, the said bishopric of 
«¢ Exeter: and we translate the same Miles to the bishopric 
‘¢ of Exon, and we nominate, ordain, and constitute by these 
‘¢ presents, the same Miles, Bishop of Exon, and of Exeter 
‘¢ diocese; to have and to hold, execute and enjoy the said 
“ bishopric of Exon to the same Miles, during his natural 
& life.’’4 

The diocese of Exeter, on account of the late insurrection, 
and the prevalence of popery, was in a most lamentable 
state ; and some wise, courageous, and excellent preacher, 
was extremely necessary for that situation. herefore 
Coverdale was judged a most fit person to be invested with 
the above charge. Archbishop Cranmer had the highest 
opinion of him; was intimately acquainted with him; and 
was ever ready to do him acts of kindness. Though 


* Burnet’s Hist. Abridged, vol. iii. p. 148. 

+ Clark’s Lives, p. 8.—Burnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol. ii. p. 166. 
} Hantley’s Prelates’ Usurpations, p. 332. 

§ Strype’s Cranmer, p. 266, 267. 


igt LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Coverdale had submitted to wear the habits, in the late 
reign, he now, with many other celebrated divines, laid 
them aside.* mo 
_ At this early period, there were many persons in the 
kingdom, who, besides the papists, were nonconformable to 
the established church. They refused to have their children 
baptized, and differed in some points of doctrine from the 
national creed. ‘These, out of reproach, were denominated 
anabaptists. Also, there were many others who administered 
the sacraments in other manner than as prescribed by the 
Book of Common Prayer, set forth by public authority. 
Therefore to prevent these persons from propagating their 
opinions, and to bring them to conformity, a commission 
was issued to thirty-one persons, empowering them to 
correct and punish these nonconformists. Among those in 
the commission were Cranmer, Latimer, Parker, and Cover- 
dale ; but it does not appear whether any of the noncon- 
formists were prosecuted by them.+ Coverdale being ever 
celebrated for peace and moderation, would undoubtedly 

i approve of all such measures. : | | 
_ This excellent divine, while he was Bishop of Exeter, 
conducted himself in a manner worthy of his high office. 
Like a true primitive bishop, he was a constant preacher, 
and much given to hospitality. He was sober and tempc- 
rate in all things, holy and blameless, friendly to 
men, liberal to the poor, courteous to all, void of pride, 
clothed with humility, abhorring cayetousness and every 
scene of vice. His house was a little church, in which ° 
was exercised all virtue and godliness. He suffered no 
one to abide under his roof, who could not give some satis- 
factory account of his faith and hope, and whose life did 
not correspond with his profession. He was not, however, 
without-his enemies. Because he was a constant and faithful 
preacher of the gospel, an avowed enemy to all supersti- 
tion and popery, and a most upright worthy man, his 
adversaries sought to have him disgraced: sometimes by 
secret backbiting; sometimes by open raillery; and some- 
times by false accusation. Indeed, their malice is said to 
have been. carried to so great .a length, that they endea- 
voured at last to poison him; but through the good provi- 
dence of God, their snares were broken, and. he was 
delivered out of their hands. 

Coverdale having continued in the episcopal office 

* Neal’s Paritans, vol. i. p. 65, se 

+ Strype’s Parker, p. 27. } Clark’s Lives, p. 4. 


COVERDALE. °"~ 195 


betwixt two and three years, it pleased God to remove, 
by death, the excellent King Edward. Upon the accession 
of his sister Mary, the face of religion was soon changed ; 
great numbers of the most worthy preachers in the kingdom 
were immediately silenced ; and this good bishop, together 
with many others, was cast into prison.» During the con- 
finement of Coverdale and the other protestant bishops, 
they drew up and subscribed their confession of faitir. 
This confession, with the names of those who subscribed 
it, is still preserved, but too long for our insertion.t The 
malice of the papists designed Coverdale for the fire’s 
but the Lord most wondertully preserved and delivered 
him. During his imprisonment, the King of Denmark, 
with whom he had become acquainted when he was in 
Germany, became his honoured friend, warmly espoused 
his cause, and wrote several letters to Queen Mary, earnestly 
soliciting his release.t By the king’s continued impor- 
dunity, yet as a.very great favour, he was permitted to go 
into banishment. Burnet, by mistake, calls him a Dane; 
‘and observes, that on this account some allowance was 
made for him, and a passport was granted him, with two of 
his, servants, to go to Denmark.§ He retired first to his 
kind friend, the King of Denmark; then to Wezel in 
.Westphalia; and afterwards he went into Germany, to his 
worthy patron the Elector of the Rhiene, by whom he. was 
cordially received, and restored to his former benefice of 
Burghsaber.j Here he continued a zealous and laborious 
preacher, and a careful shepherd over the flock of Christ, 
all the remaining days of Queen Mary. 

Coverdale and several of his brethren, during their exil 
published a new translation of the Bible, commonly call 
the Geneva Bible. The translators of this ‘Bible were 
Coverdale, Goodman, Gilby, Whittingham, Sampson, 
Cole, Knox, Bodliegh, and Pullain, all celebrated puritans. 
They first published the New Testament in 1557. This 
was the first that was ever printed with numerical verses. 
The whole Bible, with marginal notes, was printed in 


* The two archbishops, Cranmer and Holgate, with the bishops, Ridley, 
Poinet, Scory, Coverdale, Taylor, Harvey, Bird, Bush, Hooper, Farrer, 
and Barlow, and twelve thoasand clergymen, were all silenced at this 
time, and many of them were cast into prison,—Burnet’s Hist. of Refer's 
vol. ii. p. 276. 

+ Fox’s Martyrs, vol. iii. p. 15, 82, 83. 

t These letters are still preserved.—Zbid. pe. 149—151. 

§ Hist. of Refor. vol. iii. p. 239. 

§ Troubles at Frankeford, p. 153. 


196 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


1560, and dedicated to Queen Elizabeth. The translators 
say, ‘“‘ They were employed in the work night and day, 
with fear and trembling; and they protcst from their con» 
sciences, and call God to witness, that in every point and 
word, they have faithfully rendered the text, to the best of 
their knowledge.” But the marginal notes giving some 
offence, it was not suffered to be printed in England till 
after the death of Archbishop Parker; when it was printed 
in 1576, and soon passed through twenty or thirty editions. 
This translation of the Bible has been lately published, 
‘under the title of “ The Reformers’ Bible.” 

During the rage of persecution in the reign of Queen 
Mary, every effort was made for the suppression of the 
reformation, and the re-establishment of popery. 
frauds, and impositions, and superstitions of the latter 
‘being ashamed of an examination, the people were not 
allowed to read the writings of protestants. Therefore, in 
the year 1555, her majesty issued her royal proclamation 
for suppressing the books of the. reformers. Among the’ 
works enumerated in this proclamation, were those of 
Luther, Calvin, Latimer, Hooper, Cranmer, and Coverdale.+ 

Soon after the accession of Queen Elizabeth, Dr. Cover- . 
dale again returned to: his native country. His bishopric 
was reserved: for him, and he was repeatedly urged to - 
accept it; but on account of the popish habits and cere- 
‘monies retained in the church, he modestly refused. He 
assisted in the consecration of Archbishop Parker, in Lam- 
beth chapel, December 17, 1559. The ceremony was 
performed in a plain manner, by the imposition of hands 
and prayer. Coverdale, on this occasion, wore only a plain 
black gown; and because he could not with a good con- 
science come up to the terms of conformity, he was 
heglected, and for some time had no preferment.t He had 
the plague in the year 1563, but afterwards recovered. He 
‘was commonly called Father Coverdale. But on account 
of the neglect with which he was treated, and the reproach 
which it brought upon the ruling prelates, Grindal; bishop 
of London, said, * Surely it is not well that he, who was in 
Christ before any of us, should be now in his age without 
stay of living. I cannot hereiti excuse us bishops.” Grindal 
therefore in the above year, gave him the living of St, 


* Strype’s Parker, p. 205, 206.—Neal’s Puritans, vol, ii. p. 88. 

+ Fox's Martyrs, vol. iii. p. 226. - . 

¢ Strype’s Parker, p. 58—60.—Annals, vol. i. p. 366.—Neal’s Puritans, 
vol. i. p. 165, a . oe 


a 


COVERDALE. (4197 


Magnus, at the Bridge-foot. But he being old and poor, 
petitioned Secretary Cecil and others, to be released from 
paying the first fruits, amounting to upwards of sixty 
pounds, adding, ‘If poor old Miles might be thus pro- 
vided for, he should think this enough and as good as a 
feast.” ‘This favour was granted.* | 
Coverdale continued in the undisturbed exercise of his | 

ministry. a little more than two years;+ but not coming up . 
to the terms of conformity, he was driven from his flock, 
and obliged to relinquish his benefice.t Though he was 
Jaden with old and infirmities, he did not relinquish his 
beloved work. He still continued preaching as he found an 
opportunity, without the habits; and multitudes flocked to 
hear him. They used to send to his house on a Saturday, 
inguiring where he was to preach on the following sabbath, 
_ and were sure to follow him. This, however, giving offence 
to the ruling prelates, the good old man was, at length, 
obliged to tell his friends, that he durst. not any more 
inform them of his preaching, through fear of offending 
his superiors.; He, nevertheless, continued preaching as 
long as he was able; and died a most comfortable and 
happy death, January 20, 1568, aged eighty-one years. 
He was a man of most exemplary piety, an indefatigable 
student, a great scholar, a celebrated preacher, a peaceable 
nonconformist, and much. admired and followed by the | 
puritans; but the Act of Uniformity brought down his 

tey hairs with sorrow to the grave. His remains were 

onourably interred in the chancel of St. Bartholomew’s 
church, behind the Exchange, London ;_ when vast crowds 
of people attended the funeral procession. A monumental 
inscription was afterwards erected to his memory, of which 
the following is a translation :j 

| In Memory 
of the most reverend Father, 
MILeEs CovERDALE, 
who died, aged eighty years. 
This ‘Tomb 


contains the mortal Remains of CovERDALE, 
who having finished his labours, 
now lies at rest. 
He was once the most faithful 
and worthy Bishop of Exeter, 
a man remarkable for the uprightness of his life. 


* Strype’s Grindal, p. 91.—Parker, p. 148, 149.—Annals, yo). i. p. 362. 
+ Neweourt’s Repert. Eccl. vol. i. p. 398. 

¢ Strype’s Parker, p. 149. § Parte of a Register, p. 25. 
| Stow’s Survey of London, b. ii. p. 122. 


? 


128 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


He lived to exceed the age of eighty ycars, 
having several times 

been unjustly sent into banishment; 

and after being tossed about, aud 
exposed to the various 
hardships of life, 
the Larth kindly received him inte 
her bosom. 


* His Wornks.—1. The Christen Rule or State of all the Worlde from 
the highest to the lowest: and how every Man shulde lyve to please 
God in his Callynge, 1647.—2. The Christen State of Matrimonye, 
wherein Husbands and Wyfes maye Icrne to keepe House toge 
with Love, 1547.—3. A Christen Exhortation to customable Swearers. 
What a ryght and Jawfull Othe is: when, and before whom it oughte 
to be, 1547.—4. The Maner of sayenge Grace, or gyvyng Thankes 
to God, after the Doctrine of Holy Scrypture, 1547.—5. The old 
Fayth: an ovident Probacion out of the Holy Scrypture, that Christen 
Foyth (which is the ryghte, true, olde, and undoubted Hayth) hath 
endared sins the beginyng of the Worldc, 1547.—6. A faythful and 
true Prognostication upon the year M.CCCC.xXLIx, and perpetualy 
after to the Worlde’s Ende, gathered out of the Prophecies and 
Scryptures of God, by the Experience and Practice of ys Workes, 
very comfortable for all Christen Hertes.—7. A Spiritual Almanacke, 
wherein evcry Christen Man and Woman may sce what they cughte 
daylye to do, or leave undone.—8. A Confutation of John ish, 
— 9. A Discourse on the Holy Sacraments.—10. A Concordance fo 
the New Testument.—11. A Christian Catechism.—12. Several Tran- 
slations from Bullinger, Luther, and others.—The version of the 
ame in the Book of Commun Prayer, is taken from Coverdale’s 

e.* . 


Wirrsam Turner, M.D.—This distinguished person 
was born at Morpeth in Northumberland, and educated in 
the university of Cambridge, where he became famous for 
his knowledge in philosophy, physic, and divinity. He 
Was a most learned and pious nonconformist, an avowed 
enemy to all the abominations of popery, and a most 
zealous promoter of the reformation, Beholding the de- 
plorable ignorance of the people, and the great scarcity of 
useful preachers in every part of the kingdom, he renounced 
all thoughts of preferment, though he had the moet flattering 
prospects, and became a zealous and constant preacher, in 
citics, towns, and villages thre ~ 
country. As he could: 
to the ceremonies requi 

nerously employer 
Soithout ordination. ) 


* Churton’s 


TURNER. " 129 


labours for some tire, he at length settled at Oxford, where 
he enjoyed the advantage of learned men and books. There 
he continued preaching, not without hopes of gaining 
learned men to espouse the reformation, till he was cast into 
prison; and after close confinement for a considerable time 
he was banished from the-country. Such was the effect of 
bigotry and popish cruelty ! 

During his banishment, he travelled into Italy; and at 
Ferrara, being much admired for his great learning, he was 
created doctor of physic. Towards the close of the reign 
of Henry VIII. he lived at Celogne and other places in 
Germany. - In the. reign of Edward VI. he returned ho 
when he was greatly esteemed among our pious and learn 
reformers. Upon his return he was made prebendary of 
York, canon of Windsor, and dean of Wells, and incor- 
rated doctor of physic at Oxford. Having obtained a 
nse to preach, he renewed his former ministerial exer- 
cises; and, at the same time, practised physic among the 
nobility and gentry, and was chosen both chaplain* and 
physician to the Duke of Somerset, lord protector. Upon 
the accession of Queen Mary, and the commencement of 
her bloody persecution, he fled from the storm, and retired 
first into Germany, then to Rome, and afterwards settled, 
with others of his fellow exiles, at Basil in Switzerland.+ 
Upon the accession of Queen Elizabeth, he returned a 
second time to his native country, when he was restored to 
his deanery, being highly esteemed both as a physician and 
divine, but especially on account of his numerous learned 
writings.} 

He was author of a work, entitled ‘¢ A New Herbal,” 
the first original work on the subject in the English lan- 
guage, and.afterwards the foundation of Gerard’s celebrated 
work on the same subject. It is said, the first publisher of 
an original Herbal in our tongue, Dr. William Turner, 
informs us, that botany, or the knowledge of simpling, was 
fallen into such neglect, that in King Henry’s reign, he 
found not a physician in the university of Cambridge, who 
could inform him of the Greek, Latin, or English names of 
any plants he produced, as he gathered them to compile 


* Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 156. 

- + Bishop Ridley, during his imprisonment, writing to Grindal, then an 
exile at Frankfort, made the most affectionate and honourable mention of 
Tarner, Lever, Sampson, and other worthy exiles.—-Fex’s Martyrs, vol. 
iii. p. 374. 

$ Wood’s Athenz Oxon, vol. i. p. 120, 121. 
§ Strype’s Cranmer, p. 274. 
VOL. I. K . 


180 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


his first Latin skeleton of his Herbal. The learned Dr. 
John Kaius, enumerating the celebrated men who have 
written on this subject, asks, ‘‘ And who shall forget the 
most worthy Dr. William Turner? whose learned acts I. 
leave to the witty commendations, and immortal praise, of 
Conradus Gesnerus. Yet his book of herbs will always 
w green, and never wither, as long as Dioscorides is had 
in mind among us mortal wits.”* He wrote with great zeal 
and strength of argument against the superstitions and errors . 
of popery. It is observed, that in his book entitled The 
Hunting of the Romish Fox,” he has “ unanswerably- 
proved, that those who labour to advance and bring in 
the canon law, labour to advance and usher in the pope.’’+ 
September 10, 1559, Dr. Turner preached the sermon at: 
Paul’s cross; and, as he was a person universally beloved, 
and a most popular preacher, his audience, consisting of 
courtiers, citizens, and people from the country, was un-. 
commonly large.t He was a decided nonconformist; and 
refused subscription and the habits. Mr. Strype observes, 
that: in the year 1565, he enjoined a common adulterer to 
do open penance in the priest’s square cap, and thus dis- 
covered his contempt of the clerical garments. For this 
flagrant crime, Archbishop Parker complained of . him to. 
Secretary Cecil. And, as our historian adds, he used -to — 
call the bishops, white coates and tippet feiilemen. 
He also contemned their office, by. asking, ““ Who gave 
them more authority over me, than I over them, either to 
forbid me preaching, or to deprive me, unless they have 
received it from their holy father the pope?” This was 
certainly bold language for those times of severity. But 
without attempting to vindicate the claim here expressed, 
or inquiring from whom their authority was derived, their 
lordships ventured to exercise this authority upon Dr. 
Turner, and caused him, with many of his brethren, to feel 
the weight of their outstretched arms. For upon his 
refusal to wear the surplice, and use the Book of Common 
Prayer, he was sequestered and deprived, with nearly forty. 
other London ministers.§ ocod | Me 
t has been generally, but improperly su , says Mr.. 
Middleton, that Mr. Cartwright: was the first noted dissenter 
from the etsablished church. Dr. Turner, dean of Wells, 


* Biog. Britan. vol. iii. p. 2,6. Edit. 1778. 

+ Huntley’s Prelates, p. 39. . 
Strype’s Aonals, vol. i. p. 186. : 
Strype’s Parker, p. 151.—Neal’s Hist. of New Eng. vol. i. p. 50. 


$ 


- TURNER. 3 131 


says he, about the year 1563, seems to have been the first, 
or one of the first, after the church of England was settled, 
who opposed both its episcopacy and ceremonies, and made 
some disturbance about them. This Turner, adds the pious 
but mistaken author, was a very intemperate and indiscreet 
man, as appears from an anecdote recorded of him, wherein 
he manifested his rude treatment of a bishop, whom he had 
invited to dine with him.« 

That Dr. Turner was opposed to the episcopacy and cere- 
monies of the church, was never doubted ; but that he was a 
disturber of the peace, was never proved. And whether he 
was a very intemperate and indiscreet man, will best appear 
from the anecdote itself, which was the following : the doctor 
having invited a bishop to dine with him, and having a 
very sagacious dog, was desirous to put a joke upon his 
lordship. Therefore, while they were at dinner, he called. 
his dog, and told him that the bishop perspired very much. 
The dog then immediately flew upon his lordship, snatched 
off his cornered cap, and ran with it to his master.+ 

_. This celebrated divine having spent his life in active and 
vigorous endeavours to promote the reformation of the 
church, and the welfare of the state; and having suffered 
imprisonment and banishment from the hands of the papists, 
and deprivation from his fellow protestants, he died full of 
years, July 7, 1568. His remains were interred in the 
chancel of St. Olave’s church, Hart-street, London, where 
a monumental inscription was erected to his memory, of 
which the following is a translation :t 


In MEmorY 

of that famous, learned and holy man, 

WILLIAM Turner, Dean of Wells, 

a most skilful Physician and Divine, 

in which professions 
he served the Church and the Commonwealth, 
with the greatest diligence and success, 
for thirty years. 

Against the implacable enemies of both, 
but especially against the Roman Antichrist, 
he fought bravely 

. as a good Soldier of Jesus Christ. 
When worn out with age and labours, 
he laid down his body 
in hope of a blessed resurrection. 


* Middleton’s Biographia Evangelica, vol. ii. p. $26. Edit. 1780. 
+ Strype’s Parker, p. 152. . 
+ Ward’s Gresham Professors, p. 190.—An imperfect account of this 
inscription is given in Stow’s ‘* Survey of London,” b. ii. p. 38. 


132 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


JANE TURNER érected this monument 
to the Memory 
of her beloved and pious husband. 
By the power of Christ 
they both overcame the world and the flesh, 
_ and now they triumph for ever. 


Turner, an honour to the healing art, 
And in religion he was truly great ; 
Bat envious death has snatched bim from our eyes; 
e suffer loss, but Turner gains the prize. 
He died July 7, 1568. 


The Oxford historian, with an evident design to blacken 
his memory, says, he was conceited of his own worth, hot- 
headed, a busy body, and much addicted to the opinions of 
Luther, always refusing the use of the ceremonies. Fuller 
denominates him a most excellent Latinist, Grecian, orator, 
and poet, and a most learned and zealous protestant.+ Mr. 
Strype styles him an eminent preacher, and says, he was 
greatly befriended by Sir John Cheke and Sir William 

cil.t He had a son called Peter, who became doctor of 
physic, a member of parliament in 1584, and a most 
zealous man in the cause of religion and his country. He 
died May 27, 1614, when his remains were interred in the 
chancel of the above church. Dr. William Turner was a 
celebrated writer, especially against the papists. 


His Works.—1. The Hunting of the Romish Fox, which more 
than seven years hath been hid among the Bishops of England, after 
that the King’s Highness had commanded him ( r) to be driven 
out of the Realm, 1543.—2. Avium precipaurum, quarum apud 
Plinum & Aristotelum mentio est, brevis & succincta historia, 1544.— 
3. The Rescuing of the Romish Fox; otherwise called the Exami- 
nation of the Hunter, devised by Stephen Gardiner, Doctor and 
Defender of the Pope’s Canon Law, and his ungodly Ceremonies, 
1545.—4. The Hunting the Romish Wolf, 154..—5. A Dialogue, 
wherein is contained the Examination of the Masse, and of that kind 
of Priesthood which is ordained to say Masse, 1549.—6. A new 
Herbal, wherein are contained the names of Herbs in Greek, Latin, 
English, Dutch, French, and in the Apothecaries and Herbaries, 
with their properties, 1551.—7. A Preservative, or Triacle against 
the Poyson of Pelagius, 1551.—8. A new Book of Spiritual Physick 
for divers Diseases of the Nobilitie and Gentlemen of England, 1555. 
—9. The Hunting of the Fox and the Wolf, because they did make 
Havock of the Sheep of Jesus Christ,155 . 10. A Book of the Natures 
and Properties, as well of the Bathes of England, as of other Bathes 
in Germany and Italy, 1562.—11. A Treatise of the Bath at Barth in 
England, 1562.—12. Of the Nature of all Waters, 1562.—13. The 


\ 


* Wood's Athene, vol. i. p. 120. + Werthies, part ii. p. 308. 
¢ Strype’s Cranmer, p, 274. 


HAWKINS. 193 


Nature of Wines commonly used in England, with a Confutation 
of them that hold, that Rhenish and other small Wines ought not 
to be drunken, either of them that have the Stone, the Rume, or 
other Diseases, 1568.—14. The Nature and Virtue of Triacle, 1568, 
—15. The rare Treasure of English Baths, 1587.—16. Arguments 
against the Popish Ceremonies.*—He translated into English, “A 
Comparison between the Old Learning and the New,” 1538.—And 
“ The Palsgraves Catechism,” 1572. 


Rosert Hawkins.—This zealous puritan was beneficed 
in London, but endured many troubles for nonconformity. . 
In the year 1566, conformity to the habits and ceremonies 
being enforced with great rigour, especially in London and 
its vicinity, and many of the nonconformable ministers being 
silenced, and their friends treated with great severity, they 
came at length to a determination to form themselves into a 
separate congregation; and they assembled together pri- 
vately, in various places in the city, as they found oppor- 
tunity. It is observed from Mr. Strype, that the refusers 
of the orders of the church, who by this time were commonly 
called puritans, were now grown into two factions. The 
one was of a more quiet and peaceable demeanour, who 
indeed would not use the habits, nor subscribe to the 
ceremonies, as kneeling at the sacrament, the cross in 
baptism, the ring in marriage ; but held the communion of 
the church, and willingly and devoutly joined in the 
common prayer. There was another sort, who disliked the 
whole constitution of the church, charging it with many 
gross remainders of popery, and that it was still full of 
antichristian corruptions, and not to be tolerated. These 
separated themselves into private assemblies, meeting to- 
gether not in churches, but in private houses, where they had 
ministers of their own. They rejected wholly the Book of 
Common Prayer, and used a book of prayers framed at 
Geneva for the congregation of English exiles lately sojourn- 
ing there. This book had been revised and allowed by 
Calvin and the rest of the Geneva divines. At these private 
assemblies, they had not only prayers and sermons, but the 
Lord’s supper likewise sometimes administered. This gave 
great offence to the queen, who issued her letters to the 
ecclesiastical commissioners, to this effect: “ That they 
should move these nonconformists by gentle means to 
‘conformity, or else for their first punishment to lose their 


* The author has seen a MS, copy of this work, but is not certain whether 
a¢ Was ever published. 


134 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


freedom of the city, and afterwards to suffer what should 
follow.’’* 

Mr. Hawkins was # leading person nmong these 
ratis(s, and an active and a zealous preacher. Several other 
ministers were members of the congregation. Having kept 
their assemblies for some time more privately, to elude t 
notice of the bishop's officers, they at length ventured to 
come forth more publicly ; and June 19, 1567, they agreed to 
have a sermon and the Lord’s supper at Rlumbers-hall, which 
they hired for the day, as some one gave it out, under pre- 
tence of a wedding. Here the sheriffs of London discovered 
them, and broke up their meeting, when about one hundred 
were assembled together. Most of them were taken into 
custody, and sent to the Compter. These were the first 
puritans who accounted it unlawful to hold communion 
with the church of England, and who totally separated from 
it. They did not separate, however, till after their ministers 
were silenced; and they appear to have been the first who 
were cast into prison, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, for 
not coming to their parish churches, and for holding con- 
venticles, They deserved more humane treatment, especially 
when it is recollected, that they only imitated the worthy 
protestants a few years before, in the time of Queen Mary ; 
who, to the great hazard of their lives, assembled in private 
places ; and some of them were, indeed, the sume persons. 

hey were harassed and persecuted, while the papists con- 
tinued anmolested.+ 

The day after their imprisonment in the Compter, Mr. 
Hawkins, and Messrs. William White, Thomas Bowland 
John Smith, William Nixson, James Ireland, and Richard 
Morecraft, were brought Sefore Bishop Grindal, Dean Good- 
man, Archdeacon atts, the lord mayor, and other come 
missioners. The bishop charged them with absenting 
themselves from the parish churches, and with setting up 
separate assemblies for prayer, preaching, and administering 
the sacrament. He told them, that by these proceedings, 
they condemned the church of England, which was well 
reformed according to the word of God, and those martyrs 
who shed their blood for it. To this charge, Mr. Hawkins 
replied in the name of the rest, as follows; and would have 
said more, but was interrupted. 

Hawkins. We condemn them not. We only stand to 
the truth of God's word. 


© Blograpbia Britan, vol. iv, p. 2488. Ratt, 1747, 
+ MS. Remarks, p- 219. B Parte of a Regieter, Pe 93, 24. 


. HAWKINS. : . 135 


Bishop. Have you hot the gospel truly hed, and 
the sacraments duly ministered, and good order preserved ; 
though we differ from other churches in indifferent cere- 
monies, which the prince has power to command for’ the 
sake of order? What say you, Smith, as you seem the 
ancientest 2 

Smith. Indeed, my lerd, we thank God for reformation ; 
and that is the thing we desire, according to God’s word. 

White. I beseech you, let me answer. 

Bishop. Nay, White, hold your peace. You shall be 
heard anon. 

Nixson. I beseech you, let me answer a word or two. 

Bishop. Nixson, you are a busy fellow. I know your 
words, You are full of talk. I know from whence you 
came. 

Hawkins. I would be glad to answer. 

‘ Bishop. Smith, you shall answer. | 
Smith. So long, indeed, as we might have the word 
freely preached, and the sacraments administered without 
the use of idolatrous gear, we never assembled in private 
houses. But when all our preachers, whocould not subscribe 
to your apparel and your. laws, were displaced; so that 
we could not hear any of them in the church for the space 
of seven or eight weeks, excepting father Coverdale, who at 
length durst not make known unto us where he preached ; 
and then we were troubled in your courts from day. to day, 
for not coming to our parish churches; we considered 
among ourselves what we should do. We remembered that 
there was a congregatioh of us in this city, in the days of 
Queen Mary ; and a congregation at Geneva, which used 
a book and order of preaching, ministering the sacraments 
and discipline, most agreeable to the word of God. This 
book is allowed by the godly and learned Mr. Calvin, and 
the other preachers at Geneva, which book and order we 
now hold. And if you can, by the word of God, reprove 
this book, or any thing that we hold, we will yield to you, 
and do open penance at Paul’s cross; but if not, we will, by 

the grace of God, stand to it, : 

Bishop. This is no answer. : 

Smith. Would you have me go back from better to 
worse ? I would as soon go to mass as to some churches, 
and particularly to my own parish church; for the minister 
_ 18 a very papist. ] : 
Dean. He counteth the service and reformation in the 
- days of King Edward, as evil as the mass. 


136 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Bishop. Because he knoweth one that is evil, he findeth 
fault with all. You may go to other places. 

White. If it were tried, there would be found a great 
company of papists in this city, whom you allow to be 
ministers, and thrust out the godly. 

Bishop. Can you accuse any of them of false doctrine ? 

Nixson. Yes, I can accuse one of false doctrine, who is 
even now in this house. Let him come forth, and answer to 
the doctrine which he preached upon John x.* 

Dean. You would take away the authority of the prince, 
and the liberty of christians. 

Bishop. Yes, and you suffer justly. 

Hawkins. It does not belong to the prince, nor to the 
liberty of christians, to use and defend that which apper- 
taineth to papistry and idolatry, as appears from Deutero- 
nomy vii. and other parts of scripture. 7 
~ Dean. When do you hear us maintain such things in 
our preaching? 

Hawkins. Though you do not defend them in your 
preaching, you do it by your deeds, and your laws. You 
preach Christ to be a prophet and priest, but not to be a 

ing; nor will you suffer him to reign in his church alone, 
by the sceptre of his word; but the pope’s canon law, and 
the will of the prince, must be preferr fore the word and 
ordinance of God. : 

Dean. You speak irreverently of the prince, before the 
magistrates. You were not required to speak, and there- 
fore might hold your peace. 

Hawkins. You will suffer us to make our defence, seeing 
you persecute us. 

Bishop. What is so preferred ? 

Nixson. Your laws, your copes, and your surplices ; 
because you will suffer none to preach, except they wear 
them, and subscribe. 

Bishop. No! what say you of Sampson and Lever, and 
others? Do not they preach ? ; 

White. Though they preach, you have deprived and 
forbidden them ; and though you suffer them, the law stands 
in force against them. But.for what cause you will not 
suffer others, whom you cannot reprove by the word of 
God, I know not. . 


* This was one Bedall, then present, who immediately held down his 
head, but said nothing. The bishop and other commissioners, at the same 
time, looked upon one another, as if they knew not what to do, but pre- 
ceeded no further.— Parte of a Register, p. 26. - 


HAWKINS. 137 


Bishop. They will not preach among you. | 

White. Your doings are the cause. . 

Hawkins. And they will not join with you. One of 
them told me, “ he had rather be torn in a hundred pieces, 
than communicate with you.” We neither hold nor allow 
any thing that is not contained in the word of God. But if 
you think we do not hold the truth, shew unto us, and we 
will renounce it. , 

Smith. And if you cannot, we pray you, let us not be 
thus used. 

Dean. You are not obedient to the authority of the prince. 

White. Yes, we are. For we resist not, but suffer 
whatsoever authority is pleased to lay upon us. 

Bishop. Thieves likewise suffer, when the laws are laid 
upon them. 

White. What a comparison is this! They suffer for evil 
Going, and you punish us for serving God according to his 
wo 

Nixson. The prince, as well as ourselves, must be ruled 
by the word of God: as we read, 1 Kings xii., that the king 
should teach only the word of God. : 

Bishop. What! should the king teach the word of 
God ? Lie not. 

Nixson. It means that both king and people should obey 
the word of God. 

Bishop. It is indeed true, that princes must obey the 
word of God only. But obedience consisteth of three 
points.—1. That which God commandeth may not be left 
undone.—2. That which God forbiddeth may not be done. 
—3. That which God hath neither commanded nor for- 
bidden, and consisteth in things indifferent: such things 
princes have authority to appoint and command. 

Prisoners. Prove that. Where find you that? 

Bishop. I have talked with many persons, and yet I 
never saw any behave -themselves so irreverently before 

istrates. é 
hite. I beseech you, let me speak a word or two. 

Bishop. White, stay a little. You shall speak anon. 

Hawkins. Kings have their rule and commandment, 
Deut. xvii., not to decline from the word of God, to the 
right hand or the left, notwithstanding your distinction. 

Smith. How can you prove those things to be indifferent, 
which are abominable. 

_ Bishop. You mean our caps and tippets, which, you 
say, came from Rome. 


BS LIVES OF THE PDRITANS. 


Ireland. They belong to the papists, therefore throw 
them to them. | | 

Watts. You would have us use nothing that the papists 
used. Then should we use no churches, seeing the papists 
used them. 

_ Hawkins. Churches are necessary to keep our bodies 
from the rain; but copes and surplices are superstitious and. 
idolatrous. 

White. Christ did cast the buyers and sellers, and their 
wares, out of the temple, yet was not the temple overthrown. 

Bishop. Things not forbidden of God, may be used for 
the sake of order and obedience. This is according to the 
judgment of the learned Bullinger. We, therefore, desire 
you to be conformable. 

Smith. What if I can shew you Bullinger against Bul- 
linger, in this thing ? 

ishop. | think you cannot, Smith. 

Smith. Yes, that I can. 

Bishop. Though we differ from other reformed churches, 
in rites and ceremonies, we agree with them in the substance 
of doctrine. 

Hawkins. Yes, but we should follow the truth in all 
things. Christ saith, ‘‘Go ye, therefore, and teach all 
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all 
things whatsoever I have commanded you.” But you have 
brought the gospel and its ordinances into bondage to the 
ceremonies of antichrist; and you defend idolatry and 
papisiry. You have mingled your own inventions with 
every ordinance of Christ. How do you address godfathers 
and others in baptism? 

atts. Oh! a wise reason. 

Bishop. How say you of the church at Geneva ? They com- 
mumnicate with wafer cakes, which you are so much against. 

Nixson. Yes, but they do not compel any to reeetve. it 
so and in no other way. . 

Bishop. Yes, in their parish churches. © 
- White. The English congregation, while residing there, 
did minister the sacrament with loaf bread. 

Bishop. Because they were of another language. 

White. It is good to follow the best example. But we 
must follow them only as they fallow Christ. 

Dean. All the learned men in Europe are against you. 

Watts. You will believe no man. 


Smith. Yes, we reverence the learned at Geneva, and. 


HAWKINS. | 139 


in all other places. Yet we build not our faith and religion 
upon them. | 

Bishop. Will you be judged by the learned at Geneva 
They are against you. 

Hawkins. We will be judged by the word of God, which 
shall judge us all at the last day, and is, therefore, sufficient 
to judge us zow. But how can they be against us, seeing 
they know not of our doings? 

Bishop. Here is a letter from Geneva; and they are 
against you and your doings, in going from us. They 
tremble at your cause. : 

Hawkins. The place is against you. For they tremble 
at your case, and the case of the prince; because, by your 
-” severities, you drive us to a separation against our wills. =~ 
_ Bishop. Then you enter into judgment against us. 

_ Hawkins. No; we judge not. But we know the letter 
‘well enough; for we have it in our houses. It maketh 
nothing against us. 

Bishop. We grant it doth not. Yet they account the 
apparel, in its own nature, indifferent, and not impious and 
wicked ; and, therefore, counsel preachers not to give up . 
their functions, or leave their flocks, for these things. 

Hawkins. But it is said, in the same letter, ‘ that 
ministers should give up their ministry, rather than be 
compelled to subscribe unto the allowance of such things.” 

ixson. Let us answer to your first question. 
_ ‘Bishop. Say on, Nixson. 

Nixson. We do not refuse you for preaching the word 
of God ; but because you have tied the ceremonies of anti- 
christ to your ministry, and set them before it, seeing no 
man may preach or minister the sacraments without them. 
Before you used this compulsion, all was quiet. 

Bishop. So you are against things indifferent, which for 
the sake of order and obedience may be borne with. 

Mayor. Well, good people, I wish you would wisely 
consider these things, and be obedient to the queen’s good 
laws; that you may live quietly, and have liberty. 1 am 
sorry that you are troubled; but I am an officer under my 
prince, and therefore blame not me. The queen hath not 
_ established these garments and other things, for the sake of 
any holiness in them, only for civil order and comeliness ; 
and because she would have ministers known from other 
men, as aldermen are known by their tippets, judges by 
‘their red gowns, and noblemen’s servants by their liveries. 
Therefore, you will do well to take heed and obey. 


140 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Hawkins. Philip Melancthon, upon Romans xiv. hath 
these words: ‘* When the opinion of holiness, or merit, or 
necessity, 18 put to things indifferent, they darken the light 
of the gospel, and ought always to be taken away.” 

Bishop. These things are not commanded as necessary 
- in the church. 

Hawkins. You have made them necessary, and that 
many a poor man doth feel. 

ixson. As you say, my lord, that the alderman is 
known by his tippet, even as by this apparel were the mass- 
priests known from other men. 

Dean. What a great matter you make of it! 

Hawkins. The apostle Paul would not be like the false 


apostles in any such things; therefore the apostle is against 


you. 
Bishop. There were good men and good martyrs, who, 
in the days of King Edward, did wear these things. Do 
you condemn them ? 

Nixson. We condemn them not. We would go for- 
ward to perfection. The best of them who maintained the 
habits, did recant at their death: as did Dr. Ridley, bishop 
of London, and Dr. Taylor. Ridley did acknowledge his 
fault to Hooper, and when they would have put the apparel 
upon him, he said it was abominable and too fond for a vice 
in a play.* 

Bishop. Do you find that in the Book of Martyrs ? 

Hawkins. It may be shewed from the book of the 
¢¢ Monuments of the Church,”’ that many who were burned 
in the time of Queen Mary, died for standing against popery, 
as we do now. 

Bishop. I have said mass. I am sorry for it. 

Ireland. But you go still like one of the mass-priests. 

Bishop. You saw me wear a cope or surplice in St. 
Paul’s. I had rather minister without them, only for the 
sake of order and obedience to my prince. 

Nixson. Your garments, as they are now used, are 
accursed. : 

Bishop. Where do you find them forbidden in scripture? 

Nixson. Where is the mass forbidden in the scriptures ? 

Bishop. The mass is forbidden in scripture thus :—It was 
thought meritorious. It took away free justification. It 


* What is here observed relative to the worthy reformers, is abundantly 
confirmed by the concurrent testimony of our historians. Fox's Acts and 
Monuments of Martyrs, vol. iii. p. 148, 168, 112, 427.—Heylin’s Hist. of 
Refor. parti. p. 93.—Prince’s Chron. Hist. vol. i.p.@1T. - 


\ 


HAWKINS. -— 141 


was made an idol: and idolatry is forbidden in the 
scriptures. 

Hawkins. By the same argument, I will prove your 
garments to be forbidden in the scriptures. In Psalm 
Cxxxviii. it is- said, that “ God hath magnified his word 
above all his name.” And 2 Cor. x. it is said,“ The | 
weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through 
God te the pulling down of strong holds; casting down 
imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself 
against the knowledge of God, and bringeth into captivity 
every thought to the obedience. of Christ.” But you have 
brought the word of God into ca tivity to the pope’s gar- 
ments and his canon law. Therefore they are forbidden in 
the scriptures. ‘‘ And,” says Christ, ‘“‘ that which is highly 
esteemed amongst men, is abomination in the sight of God. 
Luke xvi. 

White. Reprove what we hold, and prove what you 
would have us to observe, by the.scriptures, and we will 
yield to you. But if you cannot do this, why do you 
persecute us. 

Bishop. You are not obedient to the prince. 

Dean. Doth not St. Peter say, “ Be obedient unto every 
ordinance of man 2” 

White. Yes, so far as their ordinances are according to. 
the will of God. 

Nixson. It hath always been the practice of popish 
bishops, when they could not defend their cause by ‘scrip- 
ture, to make the mayor and aldermen their servants and 
butchers, to execute punishment. But you, my lord, seeing 
you have heard and seen our cause, will take good adver- 
tisement concerning the same. 

Mayor. How irreverently you speak before my lords 
and us, in making such a comparison ! 

‘Bishop. Have we not a godly prince? Or, is she evil ? 

White. What the answer to that question is, the fruits 
do shew. 

Bowland. Yes, the servants of God are persecuted 
under her. 

Bishop. Mark this, my lord. , 

Hawkins. The prophet may answer this question. 
“ Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat 
up my people as they eat bread ?” . 
~ Dean. Do we hold any heresy ? Do we deny any article 
ef faith? Do we maintain purgatory or pilgrimage? No; 


42 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


we hold the reformation that was promoted in the days of 
ing Edward. 

hite. You build much upon the time of King Edward. 
And though it was the best time of reformation, all was 
confined to one prescript order of service, patched together 
out of the popish mattins, even-song, and mass-book ; and 
no dicipline, according to the word of God, might be 
brought into the church. : 

Nixson. Yet they never made a law, that none should 
preach, nor administer the sacraments, without the garments, 
as you have done. 

Hawkins. It can never be proved, that the ceremonies of 
antichrist, and the pope’s canon law, are clean to christi 
For the apostle saith, there is no fellowship between Christ 
and Belial, and light and darkness. 

Dean. All the learned are agai ou. . . 

White. I delivered a book to Justice Harris, containi 
the order which we hold. Reprove the same by the 
of God, and we will renounce it altogether. 

Bishop. We cannot reprove it. But to gather yourselves 
together disorderly, and to trouble the quiet of the realm, 
against the will of the prince, we like not. 

White. We hold nothing that is not warranted by the 
word of God. 

Hawkins. That which we do, we do in obedience to the 
command of God. ‘ Now, I beseech you, brethren, mark. 
them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the 
doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them.” 

Dean. Yes; but what you hold is disorderly, and against 
the authority of the prince. 

Hawkins. That which is according to the word of God 
is truth, whoever holds it; unless you make the. truth of 
_God subject to the authority of the prince. It were better. 
for us never to have been born, than to suffer the word of 
_ God to be defaced by the pleasure of princes. 

Bishop. All the learned are against you. Will you be 
tried by them? 

White. We will be tried by the word of God, by which 
we shall all be judged at the last day. 
ben But who will you have te be judge of the word of 

rd : 

Hawkins. That was the cavil of the papists, in the time 
of Queen Mary. I have myself heard them say, when the 
‘truth was defended by the word of God, “ Who shall judge 


_.. HAWKINS. — M43 
of the word of God?. The catholic church must be 


u ” 
; Wiite. We will be tried by the best reformed churches. 
The charch ef Scotland hath the word truly preached, 
the sacraments truly ministered, and discipline according to 
the word of God: these are the marks by which a trac 
church is known. | 

Dean. We have a gracious prince. 

Prisoners. May God preserve her majesty and council. 

White. That which God commandeth, ought to be done ; 
and that which God forbiddeth, ought not to be dene. 

Bishop. ‘Yes; and so say I. | 

White. It is manifest that what God commandeth to be 
done, is left undone; and what God forbiddeth, is done by 
authority. God says, “ Six days shalt thou labour, and do 
all that thou hast to do: but the seventh day is the sabbath 
of the Lord thy God.” But the law of the prince saith, 
“ Thou shalt not labour six days, but shalt keep the popish 
holy-days.”—Christ commandeth discipline to be used in 
his church, Matt. xviii., and it was practised by the apostles : 
‘but in the church of England, that is set aside, and none’ 
' sed but the popish discipline. And Christ saith, “If any 
man shall add unto those things which he has revealed, God: 
shall add unto him the plagues that are written in his book : 
and if any man shall take away from the words of his 
book, God shall take away his part out of the book of iife, 
and out of the holy city.” Rev. xxii. How will you avoid’ 
this ? : 

Bishop. Why, is it not well to hear a good sermon or two 
on the holy-days ? 

White. We are not against that.. But what shall we do 
when the sermons are ended? If we do any work, we are’ 
commanded to appear in your courts. 

Bishop. You may be well employed in serving God. 

White. So we- are, when we are at our work, as God 
commandeth. 

Dean. Then you would have no sermons, nor prayers, all 
the week. ; 

White. ] think he is no christian who does not pray and 
serve:God every day in the week. . - 

Nixson. You can suffer bear-baiting, bowling, and other 
games, both on the sabbath and your holy-days, witho 
any trouble for it. Loo 

Dean, Then you would have no holy-days, because the 
papists have used them ? oo 7 


14 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


White. We ought to do what God commandcth. 

Dean. Then you must not use the Lord’s prayer, because 
the papists used it; and many other prayers, because the 
papists used them. You would have nothing but the word 
wae Are all the psalms which you sing the word of 

? 

White. Is every word delivered in a good sermon the 
word of God 2 y 

Dean. No. 

- White. But every word and thing agreeing with the word 
of God, is as the word of God. 

Bishop. There hath been no heretic, but he hath chal- 
lenged the word of God to defend himself. 

ite. What is that to us? If you know any heresy that 
we hold, charge us with it. 

Bishop. Holy-days may be well used. 

Hawkins. Bishop Hooper, in his Commentary upon the 
Commandments, saith, ‘‘ that holy-days are the leaven of 
antichrist.’”* 

In the conclusion, the prisoners not yielding to the con- 
formity required, were sent to Bridewell, where they, with 
their brethren, and several women, were kept in co : 
ment two years. During this period, the famous Mr. Thomas 
Lever had a conference with them, and, by their desire, 
wrote them a letter to comfort and encou them under 
their present trials, giving his opinion of those things for 
which they suffered. In this letter, dated December 5, 
1568, he declares, that by the grace of God, he was deter- 
mined never to wear the square cap and surplice, nor kneel 
at the communion, because it was a symbolizing with popery. 
Yet he would not condemn those who should observe these 
things.t The celebrated Mr. John Knox wrote, also, a most 
affectionate and faithful letter to certain prisoners confined 
for nonconformity ; urging them to hear the ministers who 
preached sound doctrine, though they conformed to the 
habits and ceremonies of the church. This letter, written 
about the same time, was most probably addressed to the 
same persons. + 
. The patience and constancy of Mr. Hawkins and the rest 
of the prisoners, being at length sufficiently tried, an order 
at the motion of Bishop Grindal, was sent from the lords of 
the council to release them. Therefore, in the month of 
April, 1569, after admonition to behave themselves better 


* # Parte of a Register, p. 24—37. 
+ MS. Register, p. 18, 19. t Ibid. p. 20, 21. 


_» HAWKINS. — MS 


in future, twenty-four men, and seven women, ‘were dis 
charged.* Bishop Maddox insinuates that these persons were 
guilty of disloyalty; and adds, “ that it was no wonder th 

“ were not more respectful to the queen, since their whole 


* The names of the men were, Robert Hawkins, John Smith, John 
Roper, James Ireland, William Nixson, Walter Hinkesman, Thomas Bow- 
land, George Waddy, William Turner, John Nash, James Adderton, Thomas 
Lidford, Richard Langton, Alexander Laey, John Leonard, Robert Tod, 
Roger Hawksworth, Robert Sparrow, Richard King, Christopher Col 
John Beugen, John Bolton, Robert Gates, and William White.t Seve 
of them had been beneficed ministers in the church, the rest were religious 
and worthy laymen, but all sufferers in the same cause. Among the latter 
was Mr. William White, a substantial citizen of London, whom Faller, 
by mistake, calls a minister. He was oftentimes fined and tossed from one 
prison to another, contrary to law and justice, only for not going to his 
own parish church. Having been examined before the Bishop of London, 
he wrote his lordship a most bold and excellent letter, now before me, 
dated Decemher 19, 1569; in the conclusion of which, he subscribes himself, 
“* Yours in the Lord to command, William White, who joineth with you 
*¢ io every speck of trath, but utterly detesteth whole antichrist, head, 
Ԥ body, and tail, never to join with you, or any, in the least joint thereof; 
** nor in any ordinance of man, contrary to the word of God.” t An abstract 
of this letter is preserved by Mr. Neal.§ 

Jan 18, 1573, Mr. White appeared before the commissioners, who 
treated him neither as men, nor as christians. He was examined in the 
presence of the Lord Chief Justice, the Master of the Rolls, the Master of 
the Requests, the Dean of Westminster, the Sheriff of London, the Clerk of 
the Peace, and Mr. Gerard. Some others having been dispatched, Mr. 
White was brought forth, whom his lordship accosted as follows :— 

L. C.J. Who is this? 

White. White, if it please your honour. 

L. C.J. White! as black as the devil. 

White. Not so, my-lord, one of God’s children. 

L.C.J. By whom were you released ? 

White. By the commissioners, I suppose. , 

LC. 5, That is well, indeed, if we shall commit, and others set at liberty ! 

White. They did no more than they might do. 

L. C.J. By which of the commissioners were you delivered ? 

White. Iknow not. There were the hands of four or five commissioners 
set to the warrant. 

L. C.J. But who were they? 

White. Isuppose Sir Walter 


and my Lord Mayor were two of 


Master of Requests. How were you delivered ? 

White. Upon sureties. - 

M, Requests. How long is it since you were delivered? 

White. Siace the birth-day of our Lord. 

it re How often, during this time, have you been at your parish 

ehurc 

White. I could not go to any church, being myself, with sureties, bound 
to be a true prisoner in my own howe. 
' LO, J... Ob! you were glad of that. . 

White. Not so, my lord s for if I had been at liberty, I would have 
frequented the place of public preaching and prayer. 


+ Strype’s Grindal, p, 186. $ MS. Register, p. 22-25. 
§ Hist. of Puritans, vol. i. p. 220. 
VOL. I. : L 


146 ' LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


s¢ scheme of church government appears to be calculated for 
<¢ the overthrow of monarchy.’”* e are at a loss to say 
whether this calamny discovers greater ignorance or bigotry. 
‘The twofold charge is asserted without the least shadew of 


Gerard. When were you bound to appear? 

White. At any time, I suppose, when I should be called. «- 

Gerard. You gre now called: you must then answer, 

White. I acknowledge it, and am here to answer. 

L.C.J. Why will you not come to your parish church? ~ 

White. My lord, I did use to frequent my parish church before my 
troubles, and procured several godly men to preach there, as well as other 
places of preaching and prayer; and since my troubles, I have not fre- 
‘quented any private assemblies, but, as I have had liberty, have gone to 
my parish church. Therefore, they who have presented me, have done it 
out of malice for if any of ‘the things can be proved against me, or that 
I hold all things common, your lordship may dismiss me from hence to the 

llows. 
©" Gerard. You have not usually frequented your own charch. | 

White. I allow I have more used other places, where I was better edified, 
' Gerard. Then your presentation is in part true. 

White. Not so, if it please yous for I am presented for not coming at 
all to my parish church. my 

Gerard. Will you then come to prayers when there is no sermon? ; 

White. I crave the liberty of a subject. But if I do not publicly 
frequent both preaching, prayer, and the sacraments, deal with me ac- 
cordingly. . 

Master of the Rolls. You must answer Yes or no. . 

White. You know my mind, how that I would avoid those things which 
are a grief to me, an offence to others, and disturb the quiet state of the 
church. 

Dean. You disobey the queen’s laws. 

White. Not so, if it please you. 

Dean, What fault do you find in the common prayer ? . 

White. Let them answer to whom it appertains; for being-in prison 
almost a whole year about these matters, I was indicted upon a statute 
relating to that book; and before I came to liberty, almost outlawed, as 
your worship Mr. Gerard knoweth. ° 

M. Requests. What scripture have you to ground your conscience upon 
against these garments ? : 

White. The whole scriptures are for destroying idolatry, and every thing 
belonging unto it. 

M. Requests. These things never served to idolatry. 

White. Shough! they are the same as those which heretofore were used 
for that purpose. 

M. Requests. Where are they forbidden in scripture? - _ 

White. In Deuteronomy and other places, the Isractites are commanded, 
not only to destroy the altars, groves, and images, with all thereto 
belonging, but «also to abolish the very names. And God by Isaiah‘ com- 
mandeth us not to pollute ourselves with the garments of the image, ‘bat te 
cast them away as a menstruous clout,:- = foe 

M. Rolls. These are no part of idolatry, but are commanded by the prince 
for civil order; and if you will not be ordered you shew yourself disobediynt 
to the laws. Hs 7 FS 

White. | would not willingly disobey .any law, onty.I would -atoM 
those things which are not warranted by the word of God. . 


* Maddox’s Vindicatien, p. 210. .- 


_ HAWKINS. _ HF 


evidence, excepting, what might arise in his lordship’s 
episcopal imagination. Mr. Hawkins and several others 
had been beneficed ministers in London, but were now. 
silenced and persecuted for nonconformity. ‘The rest were 


M. Requests. You disobey the queen’s laws; for these things are com 
manded by act of parliament. . 
'. Dean. Nay, you disobey Gods for God commandeth you to obey 
your prince. Therefore in disobeying her in these things, you disobey 


White. I do not avoid those things of contempt, but of conscience. Ia 
all other things I am ah obedient subject. — 

L. C.J. The queen’s majesty was overseen not to make thee of her council, 
to make laws and orders for religion. 

White. Not so, my lord.. I am‘to ébey laws warranted by God’s word. 

L. C. J.. Do the queen’s laws command any thing against God’s word? 

White. Ido not say so, my lord... 

. LC. J. Yes, marry, you do; and there I will hold you. 
, White. Only God and his Iaws are absolutely: perfect. All men and 
their laws may err, 

L. C.J. This is one of Shaw’s darlings. I tell thee what, I will not say 
any thing of affection, for I know thee not, saving by this occasion; thou 
art the wickedest, and most contemptuous person, that has come before me, 
since I sat in this commission. 

'. White. Not so, my Lord; my conscience doth witness otherwise. 

. M. Requests. What if the queen should command to wear a grey frize 

gown, would you then come to church ? re 

- White. That were more tolerable, than that God's ministers should 
‘wear the habit of hisenemies. . . oy 
 L.C.J. How if she should command them to wear a fool’s coat and a 
cock’s comb ? 
_ White. That were unseemly, my lord, for God’s ministers. 

Dean. You will not be obedient to the queen’s commands. 

' White. Iam, and will be, obedient. 

M. Requests. Yes, you say so. But how are you obedient, when you 
will not do what she commandeth? . 

White. I would only avoid those things that have no warrant in the 
word of God, that are neither decent nor edifying, but flatly the contrary, 
and condemned by the foreign reformed churches. 

M. Requests. Do the church and pews edify? And because the papists 
used thee, will you, therefore, cast them away ? 

White. The church and pews, and such things, are both necessary and 
profitable. 

Gerard. White, you were released, thinking you would be conformable, 
but you are worse than ever. 

White. Not so, if it please you. 

L. C.J. He would have no laws, , 

White. If there were no laws, I would live like a christian, and do no 
wrong, though I received wrong. 

. L.C.J. Thou art a rebel. . 
~ White. Not so, my lord; a true subject. 7 

L.C.J. Yea, I'swear by God, thou art a very rebel; for thou wouldst 
draw thy sword, and lift up thy hand against thy prince, if time served. 

_. White, My lord, I thank God, my heart standeth right towards God and 
my prince 3 and God will not condemn, though your honour hath se 


udged. 
+, LC.J, Take him away. 


148 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


worthy, religious persons, but great sufferers in the same 
cause. These proceedings against zealous protestants, of 
pious and sober lives, excited the compassion of all unpre- 
udiced beholders, and br t many over to their interests. 
it was, indeed, a great grief to the prelates, to see persons 


White. I would speak a word, which I am sure will offend, and yet f 
must speak it. I heard the name of God taken in vain. If I had dene it, 
it had been a greater offence than that which I stand here for. 

Gerard. White, White, you do not behave yourself well. 

White. I pray your worship, shew me whereia, aad I will beg yeur 
pardon and amend it. | 

L.C. J. Imay swear in a matter of charity, 

White. There is no such occasion now. 

Gerard, White, you do much misuse yourself. 

White. If Ido, I am sorry for it. 

M. Requests. There is none here but pitieth thee. 

White. If it beso, I praise God for it. But because it is said, that at my 
last being before you, I dented the supremacy of my prince, I desire 
your honours and worships, with all that be present, to bear witmess, that 
I acknowledge her majesty the chief governor, next under Christ, ovef all 
persons and causes within her dominions, and to this I will subscribe. I 
acknowledge the Book of Articles, and the Book of Commen Prayer, as fat 
as they agree with the word of God. I acknowledge the substaace of the 
doctrine and sacraments of the church to be sound and sincere; and so I do 
of rites and orders, as far as they agree with the word of God. 

Dean. Are not ali things in the Articles and the Book of Commons 
Prayer, taken out of the word of God? : ' 

hite. Though they were; yet being done by man, I may not give them 
the same warrant as the writings of the Holy Ghost. mes 

Dean. You will not then allow of sermons. 

White. We are commanded to search the scriptures, and to the 
spirits; therefore, we must allow of sermons as they agree with the 
scriptures, 

L.C. J. Take him away, 

White. I would to the Lord Jesus, that my two years’ imprisonment 
might be a means of having these matters fairly decided by the word of 
God, and the judgment of other reformed churches. 

L.C.J. You shali be committed, I warrant you. 

White, Pray, my lord, let me have justice. Lam unjustly prosecuted. 
I desire a copy of my presentment. 

L. C.J. You shall have your head from your shoulders. Have him to 
the Gatehouse. . 

White. I pray you to commit me to some prison in London, that I may 
be near my house. 

L. C. Js No, sir, you shall go thither. 

White. I have paid fines and fees in other prisons: send me not where [ 
must pay them again. . 

L.C. J. Yes, marry shall you. That is your glory. 

M. Requests. It will cost you twenty pounds, I warrant you, before you 
come out. 

White. God’s will be done. 

The good man was then carried to the Gatehouse; but how long he 
remained in a state of confinement, we are not able fo leara, These sgvere 
proceedings, instead of crushing, greatly promoted the cause of puritasiignt. 
The sword of persecution was always found a bad argument to convince 
men of understanding and censcience.—-M3. Register, p. 176— 178. 


KINGSMILL. , 149 


going off from the first establishment of the protestant 
religion, concluding the service book to be unlawéul, and 
the ecclesiastical state antichristian; and labouring to set 
up another kind of church government and discipline. . But 
who drove them to these extremities? Why were not a 
few amendments made in the liturgy, by which conscientious 
persons might haye been made easy; or, even liberty 
given them to worship God in their own way? How far 
these proceedings were justifiable by the laws of God, or 
consistent with that universal rule of conduct given by 
Jesus Christ, Whatsoever ye would that men should do to 
you, do ye even so to them, is left with the impartial reader 
to determine. : 


. AnprReEw KinesmitL, LL. B.—This. excellent person 
was born at Sidmanton in Hampshire, in the year 1538, 
educated in Corpus Christi college, Oxford, and elected 
fellow of All Souls college in the same university, in 1558. 
He studied the civil law, in the knowledge of which he 
made considerable proficiency. But while he was thus 
employed, he did not forget to seek first the kingdom of 
God and his righteousness. He discovered the warmest 
desires for a knowledge of the mysteries of the gospel, and 
for the attainment of which, he paid the closest application. 
He would receive nothing for truth, till -he found the testi- 
mony of scripture for its support. By a constant and close 
attention to the word of God, its sacred became 
familiar to him; and, indeed, he so addicted himself to 
search and recite the holy scriptures, that he could readily 
repeat by heart, and in the Greek language, the whole of 
the epistles to the. Romans and Galatians, the first epistle of 
John, and many other parts of the sacred volume. © ~ 
_ Mr. Kingsmill did not so much esteem the preferment 
and profit, to which he might easily have attained by the 
rofession of the law, as the comfortable assurance and 
lessed hope of eternal life, and to be useful in preaching 
the gospel to his. fellow creatures. He, therefore, relin- 
‘quished the law, entered. the sacred function, and became 
an admired preacher in the university of Oxford. For 
° gome time the accession of Queer Elizabeth, there 
were only three preachers in this university, Dr. Humphrey, 
Dr. Sampson, and Mr. Kingsmill, all puritans. But upoa 


* Wood’s Athens Oxon. vol. i, p. 125. 


150 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 

the rigorous imposition of conformity, Dr. Sampson being 
already deprived of his deanery, Mr. Kingsmill withdrew 
from the storm. He was averse to all severity in the impo- 
sition of habits and ceremonies; and being fixed in his 
nonconformity, he wrote a long letter to Archbishop Parker, 
against urging a conformity to the papists in habits, cere- 
monies, and other things equally superstitious.* 

Upon Mr. Kingsmill’s departure from the kingdom, he 
—Yesolved to take up his abode among the best reformed 
churches, both for doctrine and discipline, that he could 
' meet with in a foreign land. During the first three years, 
he settled at Geneva, where he was highly esteemed by 
persons eminent for learning and piety. Afterwards, he 
removed to Lausanne, where he died in the month of Sep- 
tember, 1569, aged thirty-one years. Though he was a 
zealous puritan, and an avowed. nonconformist, seeing: he 
was a man of such great worth, and universally beloved, 
Wood found himself obliged to give him an excellent 
character. Accordingly, he says he was too good for this 
world, and left behind. him a most excellent pattern of 
piety, devotion, and every other amiable virtue.t 


His Werks.—1. A View of Man’s Estate, wherein the great 
Mercy of God in Man’s free Justification is shewed, 1574.—2. An 
excellent and comfortable Treatise for all such as are in any manner 
of way either troubled in Mind or afflicted in Body, 1578.—3. Godly 
Advice touching Marriage, 1580.—4, A godly and learned Exhorta- 
tion to hear patiently all Afflictions of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.— 
5. A Conference between a godly learned Christian and an 
afflicted Conscience, concerning a Conflict had with Satan—-7. A. 


Sermon on John iii. 16. 


” 


CarisTOPHER CoLEMAN was a Zealous puritan, and one . 
of the preachers to the congregation of separatists in Lon- 
don. Jn the year 1567, he was apprehended, with the rest 
of his brethren, at Plumbers-hall, and cast into prison, 
where he remained a long time. This heavy sentence was 
inflicted upon him, for separating from the established 
‘church, and holding private meetings for divine worship, 
when he could not in conscience conform to the church of 
‘England.t Having at length obtained his release, he wrote 
@ letter, in the year 1569, to Secretary Cecil, earnestly 
urging him to employ his interest to promote a further 

* Wood's Athens Oxon. vol. i. p. 126.—Strype’s Parker, p.-157, 


+ Athens Oxon. vol. i. p. 126. 
} See Art. Robert Hawkins. 


COLEMAN—AXTON. 1 151 


reformation of the church. He is denominated: from this 
letter a man of good intentions, but of little learning» Mr: 
Coleman and his. brethren, Messrs. _Benson, Button, and 
Hallingham, are said to have been more ardently zealous. iv 
the cause of the reformation than any others; . and it- is 
observed, that they condemned the discipline of the’ ‘church; 
the calling of the bishops, and the public liturgy, as sayour- 
ing too much of the church of Rome; that they would 
allow of nothing in the public worship of Gad, -besides 
what was expressly laid down in the holy script ures ; and 
that though the queen had commanded them to be laid by 
the heels, it.is incredible how the number of their followers 
increased i in all parts of the kingdom. ¢ 


WitiraM Axton was a truly pious man, ai steady non- 
conformist, and a learned-divine. He was some years rector 
of Moreton Corbet in Shropshire;; where Sir Robert 
Corbet, who was his great and worthy friend, protected: him 
for some time from the severities of the prelates. § Though 
under the wing of so excellent a patron, he found protec- 
tion only for a season, and was brought into trouble for 
nonconformity. About-the year 1570, “he was cited before 
Dr. Bentham, bishop of Liclifield and Coventry, when he 
underwent several examinations for refusing the apparel, 
the cross in baptism, and kneeling at the sacrament. Upon 
his appearance, he debated these points with the bishop and 
his officers, with great freedom and courage. These ex- 

aminations, now before me, though at considerable length, 

re here presented to the curjous reader. Mr. Axton being 
rought before his ecclesiastical judges, the bishop thus 
addresed him: 

Bishop. Though we allow you, Mr. Axton. to aisign 
your.reasons, you shall not be unanswered.’ Therefore set 
forth your reasons, and we will consider them. : 3 

Axton. If there ‘be any odds in the disputation, it is on 
your side. For you are many, and J am but one, and-have © 
no equal judge or moderator; but I am content to set down 
my reasons, and leaye them to God and your own ‘con- 


* Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 568—570. 
+ Heylin’s Hist. of Pres. p. 257, 258. 
pi Mr. Neal, by mistake, says Leicestershire. — Hist. of Puritans, vol. i. 


Pre Sir Robert was a constant friend to the persecuted nonconformists, and 
often sheltered them from the tyrannical oppressions of - the bishops, —HS. 
Chronology, vol. ii. p. 373. (14.) 


‘ comely. But this is not the comeliness of the gospel. 
B. Vo Fe. 


@ 


158 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


sciences.—As the priesthood of Christ or of Aaron, and 
even their very garments, were most honourable: so the 
priesthood of antichrist, and even the very garments, as the 
cope and surplice, is most detestable. | 
. Then you will condemn as unlawful, whatsoever the 
papists used in their idolatrous service. 
A. Some things have been abused by idolaters, and ye 
are necessary and profitable in the service of . 
ings they have abused, which are neither necessary nor 
table. ‘The former are to be retained, and the latter to 
refused. The surplice hath been used by the priests of 
antichrist, and hath no necessary nor profitable use in the ser- 
vice of God, any more than any other thing used in idolatrous 


worship ; therefore the surplice ought not to be used. 
| ZB. The 


surplice hath a necessary use. 

A, If it have, you sin ‘n omitting it at any time. In 
this ow condemn the reformed churches abroad, for exe 

a a thing so necessary. = 

B. It is necessary, because the prince hath commanded it. 

A. Indeed, it is so necessarily commanded, that without 
the use of it, a minister must not preach, nor administer the 
sacraments, however great are his learning, his gifts, and his 

ess, This is a most wicked necessity. 
B. But it is comely in the church of God. : 
A. What comeliness is it for the minister of Christ, to 


" wear the rags of antichrist? If this be comely, then the 


velvet and golden copes, for the same reason, are more 


u are not a judge whether the surplice be comely. 

A. The apostle saith to all christians, “ Try the spirits, 
whether they be of God.” Is it then unlawful for a chris- 
tian, and a minister of Christ, to judge of a ceremony of 
man’s invention? The reformed churches have j the 
surplice to be uncomely for the ministers of Christ. Luther, 
Calvin, Beza, Peter Martyr, and many others, have. disal- 
lowed the use of it. And most learhed men now in Eng- 
Jand, who use the surplice, wish with all their hearts, it 
were taken away. Yea, I think this is your opinion also. 
Ridley said “ it was more fit for a player on the stage, than | 
for a minister of God in his church.” A of 

. We will not allow that the surplice is the garment 

antichrist. we 

A. That which was consecrated by antichrist, and con- 
stantly worn by the priests of antichrist, in their idolatrous 
service, was one of the garments of antichrist. But .the 


AXTON. - 153 


surplice. was consecrated by antichrist, and constantly worn 
aM the priests of antichrist in their idolatrous service. 

herefore, the surplice is a garment of antichrist. 7 
- B. But this surplice which we. use, was never used by 
idolatrous priests. 7 | 

A. Then you confess that their surplices may not be used 
by us. Yet in many churches in England, the massing 
surplices and copes have been used, and are still used; 
which, by your own confession, are accursed and abomin- 
able. But when we speak of the surplice, we do not mean 
this or that surplice, but surplices in general. 
- Barker. How do you prove that? 

A. When the king of Judah came to Damascus, and 
there saw a brazen altar, he sent the pattern of it to 
Jerusalem, commanding the high priest to make one like 
unto it, and set it up in' the temple of God, This was as 
great a sin, as if he had set up the very same altar which he 
saw at Damascus; therefore, though we have not the very 
same surplice, we have one made like unto it, even as like 
that at Damascus as it can be made. 

B. Then we will have it made shorter or longer than 
theirs, or wider or narrower.* 

A. That is a poor shift. You know, that nearly all the 
surplices in England are like the papists’ surplices. 

. I have a cup like the papists’ calice, and is it unlaw- 

ful for me to use it ?. ' 
. A. Your cup is not used in the service of God, nor is it 
convenient for that purpose. But supposing it were both 
convenient and useful in the supper of the Lord, it cannot 
be compared with the surplice, which is neither convenient 
nor useful. : : 

B. We. have appointed the surplice for another end, than 
the Papists did. 

A. You cannot appoint it to any end. Accordin 
to what you now plead, you may bring into the churc 


* The profound reasoning of the reverend prelate, reminds us of an 
anecdote we have met with concerning a pious minister, who, in the reign 
of Queen Elizabeth, was urged by his ordinary to wear the surplice ; but 
who, in addition to other reasons, alleged, that the surplice offered him to 
’ put on, was the very same surplice as the mass-priest had used. The bishop 
admitted the excuse, and commanded another to be made; and when it was 
‘ taken to the church, the minister took it up, and thus addressed the people 
present :—‘* Good people,” said he, ‘‘ the bishop himself confessed, that 
the former massing surplice was not to be worn by a minister of the 
gospel; but judge you if this be a3 like that, as one eye is hike another? 
Let this, therefore, go after the other:’? and so he cast it away.—Ames’ 
Fresh Suit, part hi. Pe 435. . 


“\ 


154. LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


of God, nearly all the trash of popery, their candles, their 
torches, their banners, their. oil in baptism, and nearly all 
other things pertaining to antichrist. 

B. Yes; and why not,.if it please the prince, seeing 
they are things in their own nature indifferent. 

A. I beseech you in the Lord, mind what you say. Shall 
we again bring tapers into the church of God, and oil into 
_ the sacrament of baptism ? 

B. Yes; and why not? Is not oil one of the sacraments 
in the church of God? Why do you speak so contemptu- 
ously of oil? 

A. It is no contempt to exclude oil, milk, salt, or any 
such thing, from the sacrament.» And why do you call oil 
@ sacrament, seeing it is neither a sacrament, nor any sign 
of a sacrament ? 

B. Though it be no sacrament now, it was in the time 
of the apostles. 

A. To speak properly, it never was a saerament, the 
nature and use of which is to remember and seal unto us 
the mercies of God in Christ Jesus. 

B. This is talk. You do not allege the scriptures. 

A. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the ie 
of devils; and ye cannot partake of the table of the Lor 
and the table of devils. Meats, drinks, and a apparel, are all 
of the same nature; therefore, being consecrated to idolatry 
they are condemnéd. So it is said, * Ye shall also defile 
the covering of the graven images of silver, and the orna- 
ment of the molten image of. gold: Thou shalt cast them 
away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, get thee 
hence. And whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, 
do all to the glory of God.” But ‘the surplice, and the 
wearing of it, is not for the glory of God, therefore nat to 
be worn. - 

B. The surplice is for the glory of God. 

A. That which promotes the glory of the papists, does 
not promote the glory of God; but the wearing of the 
surplice promotes the glory and triumph of the papists, 
and, therefore, not to be worn. 

B. Iden y your argument. 

A. It is a syllogism. 

B. You are full of your syllogisms. 

A. Our reason is the gift of God, and the right use of it 
is to find out the truth. 

B. But a syllogism may be false. Let us Proceed § to. 
your second argument. 


' AXTON. 155 


A: I will allege one reason more. We ought to be 
without offence to the-Jew, to the Gentile, and to the 
church of God. But our wearing the surplice is an offence 
‘to the Jew, and the Gentile, (meaning the papists) and the 
church of God. ‘Therefore we ought not to wear the 
‘surplice. 

B. How will you be an offence to the papists by wearing 
the surplice ? 

A. By offence, the apostle does not mean to jeve, but 
. to be an occasion to another to sin. But if I wear the 
surplice, I shall be an occasion or encotragement to. the 
papists to sin. Therefore J may not wear it. 

. How will you be an offence to the church of God? 
You perhaps may be to three or four ; but you must regard 
the greater part. | 

A. I should be an offence to the greater part, and the 
lesser part, and all the church of God. 

B. How do you prove that? 

A. I should be an offence to the lesser part, being those 
who are effectually called, because their souls are exceed- 
ingly grieved with those who do wear it. And to the greater 
part, being such as are beginning to dislike popery, and 
follow true religion; who, by wearing it, would be ready 
to give up their zeal, and return to popery. 

i You must teach them to hate popery, ‘though you 
wear the surplice. 

A. If I teach them one thing, and J myself do the contrary, 
how will they believe me? You know most people look 
more at our doings, than our doctrine.—Hitherto I have given 
my reasons against wearing the surplice; if you have any 
reasons to shew why I should wear it, let me hear a few of 
the best. 

Barker. That which doth not offend i in its institution, - 
matter, form, or use, is not to be refused. But the surplice 
doth not offend in its institution, matter, form, or use. 
Therefore it may not be refused. 

A. Your reasoning is not good. You must first prove 
that the surplice has not been abused, and is not offensive, 
then will you conclude better. 

Walton. If nothing may be used in the church, that has 
been abused to idolatry, then the pulpits, and even the 
churches, of the papists, may not be used. 

A. This, in effect, hath been already answered. Prove 
that the surplice is as useful as the pulpit and the church, 
, and you will do something. - 


156 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. | 


Chancellor. Then you deny that the prince hath any 
authority to command things indifferent. 

_ A. You have said more than I have done all day. Your 
wnjust charge is contrary to what I have said. I wonder 
you can charge me so falsely to my face. | 

B. You run to your former distinction. __ 

A. It is not my distinction, but Tertullian’s; and it is 
that distinction which you will never be able to condemn 
] trust I have now confirmed the truth, and skewed sufficient 
_ Season why I may not wear the surplice, there being no 
reason why I should. 

B. No, indeed! your reasons are no reasons. | 

A. They are such as have not yet‘been answered, and } 
am persuaded, will not be answered. I am not afraid that 
all these things should be made known, that the learned 


ynay judge. 
; é. Yes, you woald have them in print, would you 
> ; 


_ A. [thonght of no such thing. But, as a witness for the 
trath, I am not ashamed that these things should undergo 
She examination of the learned and the godly.» 

The second conference was about the use and signifiea- 
tion of the cross in baptism. Upon Mr. Axton’s appearance 
before the bishop and others, being required to deliver his 
opinion, he spoke as follows : 

A. Nothing may be added to the institution of Christ: 
as, I have received of the Lord, that which also I delivered 
anto you. But the cross in baptism is an addition to the 
institution of Christ. Therefore the cross in baptism is 

unlawful. 

_- B. Whe necessary parts of the sacrament are to be 
_ retained; but whether the water be poured upon the child’s 
forehead, or it be marked with a cross, being ceremonial, is 
-Jeft to the determination of the church. 

__A. If you produce as good warrant from the word, for 
the crossing of the child, as I can for the washing of it, 
then J will grant that the church has authority so te deter- 
mine. But such warrant cannot be produced. Besides, we 
have just reason to leave out the cross, because papists abuse 
it to superstition and idolatry, and in itself it is entirely 
useless. | | 

C. Do you then say it is a sin to make any cross? 

A. It is no sin in the carpenter, the mason, or the mathe- 


» MS. Register, p. 26—37. : . 


_ matician, making crosses, any more than it is in his making 


lines and angles. . 
B. You would take away the liberty of the church, to 
establish or alter these things. | 
- A. The church is the spouse, and hath no authority to 
introduce © any thing that will dishonour Jesus Christ, het 
true husband. : 
' B. Hath net the church liberty to use the font, or the | 
bason, or both? 
A. The church may ase that which is necessary, to hold 
the water for baptism, as becometh the institution of Christ. - 
B. But I can shew you that matters of greater importance 
were altered by the apostles themselves. 
A. What are they? | . 
B, That they might not baptize in the name of the 
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. _ 
A. Do you mean that the apostles did not always baptize 
in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost? - 
B. Yes; and [ can shew you that they did not always 
use that form of words.—“ For,” it is said, “ as yet the 
Holy Ghost was come upon none of them, only they weré 
baptized in the ‘name of the Lord Jesus. And he com< 
anarnded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” «i 
A. Because they were baptized in the name of the Lord 
Jesus, does that prove they were not baptized in the name of 
the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost ? How can you 
from this, charge the apostles with altering the institution of 
their Master; they baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus ; 
therefore, you say, they did not baptize in the name of the 
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Because one part of 
the action is mentioned, does ihat prove they did not 
aitend to the other parts ? | | 
€. You may not take such advantage of my lord. , 
B. I did not say, that the apostles did not baptize in the 
name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; but 
that it was probable they did not. 
Yes, you said you could shew this; and you have 
aot shewn it to be certain, or even probable. : 
. B. The cross, you say, is no part of baptism only aa 
addition to the sacrament. What say you of the sig« 
nification of the cross? | 
A. To use such signs, tokens, or instructions in the service 
of God, which are only the inventions of men, is the fancy of 
papists. And they draw us not unto the spiritual service of 
God, but from it. - 


158 LIVES OF. THE PURITANS. 


-- B. But the cross is used as a token only, that we should 
not be ashamed of the cross of Christ. 

« W. And is it not lawful to be taught not to be ashamed 
of Christ? 

A. Yes; but we may not teach by unlawful means. 
Where doth the word of God warrant us, that making a 
cross, signifies that we should not be ashamed .of Christ? 

- W. Would you then take all symbolical signs out of the 
church of God ? . 

B. The church hath authority to ordain all: symbolical ' 
signs, that are useful in the church. Therefore the. church 
hath authority to ordain the cross in baptism. | 

A. This is only begging the question. You are as far 
from the mark as ever. | 
’ B. Is not the cross a symbolical sign, that is useful in the 
church of God? 

: A. That is the point in dispute, and yet remains to be 
proved. : ; 
' B. What scriptures have you against the cross? 
-. A. In the second commandment, we are forbidden to use 
_in the service of God, “ The likeness of any thing.” But 
the cross in baptism is the likeness of something : ‘Therefore 
the cross in baptism is forbidden, and may not be used. 

.C. May we not then make the likeness of any thing ? 

A. The commandment meaneth, that we should make no 
likeness of any thing for a religious purpose. We may 
not. make the likeness of any thing in heaven or earth, for 
a religious purpose. But the cross in baptism is the likeness 
of something in heaven or earth, and appointed for a 
religious purpose. Therefore we may not make the cross 
‘in baptism. The making of the cross, because for a.reli- 
gious purpose, is here forbidden. 

Barker. The cross in baptism is not forbidden in the first 
commandment. 

. A. I.did not say it was. It is sufficient that it is for- 
bidden in the second. . 
‘ Barker. But the same thing is meant in them both. . . 

A. You confound the first and second commandments, 
' and, like the papists, make them to be the same. I must 
say, this is great ignorance. _ 

Barker. I am not so ignorant as you suppose. 

- A. Your own words do betray you. ; 
* B. You are too captious. He shall reason you out of it. 

Barker. The making of the cross in baptism is not forbidden | 
in all the prophets; and, therefore, not in the commandment. 


“AXTON.. . 159 


- A. You had better first’ prove, that the cross is not 
forbidden in all the prophets. Your reasoning is not 


good. 

C. If God have bestowed better gifts upon you, than 
upon others, you must thank him for it; but not contemn 
other mens’ pile. | 

A. God forbid that I should contemn the gifts of God 
in any man. 

. B. What say you about kneeling at the communion? 

A. Jesus Christ and his apostles received the communion 
sitting, and why niay we not imitate them ? 

Barker. Jesus Christ, with his apostles, celebrated. the 
communion sitting, because he had immediately before, 
Celebrated the passover sitting. . : 

' A. After the celebration of the passover, Christ. arose 
and washed the feet of his disciples. Then it is said, he 
did again stt down to celebrate the communion; which 
shews, that he preferred doing it sting, rather than in any 
other posture.* 

B. Mr. Axton, I have other questions to propose to you. 
What think you of the calling of bishops, or.of my 
‘calling ? : , 

_A. I am not ignorant of the danger I may fall into, by 
answering your question. Yet I am not compelled to 
answer it, not being accused of any crime. , 

' B. Yes, 1 may compel you to answer upon your oath. 

A. But I may choose whether I will answer you upon 
my oath. , 

B. I may urge you with your own speeches, which you 
‘delivered the last time you were before me. 

A. What I then spoke to the glory of God, that will I 
also speak now. - 

--® The learned Beza, in his lettcr to Bishop Grindal, safd, “* If you have 
rejected the doctrine of transubstantiation, and the practice of adoring the 
hést, why do you symbolize with popery, and seem ‘to held both by 
kneeling at the sacrament? Knecling had never been thought of, had it 
hot been for transubstantiation.’* Grindal replied, that though the sacra- 
iment was to be received kneeling, yet the rubric accompanied the service 
' pook, and informed the people, that no adotation of the eleents was 
intended. ‘‘O! I understand you,” said Beza, ‘‘ there was a certain 
great lord, who repaired his house, and, having finished it, left before his 

@, a great stone, fer which he had no‘eccasion. This stone caused many 
people in the dark to stumble and fell. Complaint was made to his 
lordship, and many a humble petition was presented, praying for the 
Femoval of the stone; but he remained long obstidate. At length, he conde- 
scended to order a lanthorn to be hung over it, My lord, said ene, if you 
would be pleased to rid yourself of further solicitation, and to quiet all 


' parties, order the stone and the candle to be both removed.’— Rodinson’s 
. Clevde, vol. ii, p. 17, 


160 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


B. You then said, that every minister of God is a 
bishop, and to be a bishop i is only to be a minister of God. 
You said also, that no bishop in England had authority to 
excommunicate. 

A. I said so, indeed; and proved what I said by the 
word of God. Lam not bound to bring myself into danger 
but because I am persuaded it will advance God’s glory, I 
will speak, be the consequence what it will. I trust in the 
Holy Spint, that I shall be willing to die in defence of the 


. B. Then what say you of my calling? 

A. You are not lawfully called to be a bishop, according 
to the word of God. 

B. I thought so: But why? 

A. For three reasons,—1. Because you were not ordained 
by the consent of the eldership. 

B. But I had the hands of three or four bishops. 

A. That is not the eldership St. Paul speaks of, 1 Time 
iv e 
bys By whe what eldership were you ordained? Was it not 

a 
| AT bat, indeed, the laying on of the hands of one of 
the bishops of England, but that was the least part of my 


8 What calling had you more? 

A. I ha exercised and expounded the word several 
times in an orderly assembly of ten ministers, they joined in 
prayer; and being required: to speak their consciences, they 

upon the trial they had of me, that “ney were per- 
suaded I might become a profitable labourer house of 
God. After this I received the laying on of the hand of 
the bishop. 

B. Bat you had not the laying on of the hands of those 


preachers. 

A. No: I had the substance, but wanted the accident; 
and in this, I beseech the Lord to be merciful unto me. 
For the laying on. of hands, as it is the word, so it = 
agreeable to mighty action of ordaining the ministers 


vA pet hen your ordination. is imperfect as well-as mine. _ 

A. Mine is imperfect for want of the accident: the Lord 
be merciful to me for it. And yours is imperfect for want 
of the substance. - 

-B. What is your second reason ? : 

A. Because you are not ordained bishop over any one hock, 


** - - AXTON. |. | : 461 


Nay, ou ate not n. pastor to any régatidn, cen- 
trary 0 1 Pet. v.'2. and Acts xiv. 23., 3, « Feed the flack.” 
F'rem which it is manifest there should be a bishop ar and cldexs 
in every Wher erceation. 
. B, Whit is a congtegation ? 
A. Not a whole but such a. nuber of people ag 
erdizanily assemble in one place, to hear (He word of 
B. What if you hada arish six or seven miles | here 
many could not come te her you oncein a quarter o ofe year? 
A. I would not be pastor of such a flock. a 
. 3B. What is your third reason? 
A. Because you are not chesen by the people. Acts xiv. 2% 
. ©. How cama yau to be parson of Moreton Corbet ? 
A. Tam no parson. — 
©, Aré you then vicar? » _ a, 
A. No: I am no vicar. I abhor thase names as anti- 
christian. . I am pastor of the congregation there. 
i C. Are you neither paraon nor vicar? How hold yon the 
ving 
An I receive those temporal things of the people, because, 
being their pastor, I minister to them spiritual things. 
. If you be neither parson nor vicar, you must receive 
Roa profit: | a 
A. Do you mean in goed faith what you say? 
‘C. Yea, if you will be neither parson nor vicar, there ® 
geod cause why another should. 
‘B® You must understand, that all livings in the. church 
axe ‘given to ministers as parsons and vicars, and not as 
pastors and ministers. 

A. Iam sure the names ef parsons and vicars were not. 
given by Jesus Christ, but by antichrist. 

RB. How were you chosen pastor ? 

A. By the free election of the people, according ¢ to the 
ward of. God. : 

B. Why, did not the patron place you there? 

A. The patron allowed the people the free choice of their 
minister ; and after I had preached about six weeks by way 
of ptebetion, I was chosen by one consent of them all, and 
@ sermon was preached by one of my brethren, setting forth 
the mutual duties of pastor and le. 

B.. May the bishops of Englaad ordain ministers? - 

A. ¥ou ought not to do it in the manner you do, without 
the consent of the eldership, without sufficient proof of their 
qualifications, and without ordaining them to some partie 
cular congregation. 

VOL. I. “ 


162 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


- C. -How do you like my lord’s book of articles. =..." 
A. Some of the articles approach near to the institution 
of the apostles, but the best of them appear to be very little 
ractised. : : 
P B. I admit none to the ministry but those who bave a 
recommendation from some nobleman or gentlenian. 

.A. You had necd beware of breaking the institution of 
God. This door being opened, will admit thieves and 
robbers. The Lord give you a sound conscience to keep 
hirelin out a the church of God. yield oo 

ell; Mr. Axton, you must yield in some things 
me, and I will yield in some things to you. I will not 
trouble you about the cross in baptism, if you will.sometimes 
wear the surplice. . 

A. I cannot consent to wear the surplice: it is against 
my conscience. ‘ I trust, by the help of God, I shall never 
put on that sleeve which is the mark of the beast. — : 

* B. Will you leave your flock for the surplice ? 

A. Nay: Will you te me from my flock for th 
surplice? I love my flock in Jesus Christ, and had rather 
have my right arm cut off than be removed from them. . 
‘. B. Well, I will not deprive you at this time. 

A. I beseech you consider what you do in removing me 
from my flock, seeing I am not come in at the window, nor 
‘by simony, but according to the institution of Jesus Christe 

The second day’s conference concluded as above, whea 
Mr. Axton was taken away, the bishop requiring his future 
‘attendance. Accordingly, upon his appearance at the time 
appointed, he underwent a third examination concerni 
the use of instrumental music in the public worship of God | 
and obedience to the queen’s laws, with some other thi 
Being questioned about the use of organs in public worship, 
he replied as follows : . . 

A. They are Jewish, and not to be used in christiag 
congregations. 7 
« Bickley. Did not David command organs and cymbals 

“to be used? ; 

, A. that command was ceremonial, and is abrogated. — 
ickley. You will then abrogate singing in the .churel, 

because David and the Jews mute oe : 

A. Piping with instruments is abolished. - 

- \Bickley. How do you prove that? Do 
- A. Because our joy in public worship must be moe 


ta 


e 


* MS, Register, p. 3750. 


AXTON. = -- | 163 


spiritual than that of the Jews; and. it is said, that in the- 
‘ume of the l, all shall sing praises unto. God. : 
-- Bickley. The organs are used before the prince. 

A. That does not prove them to be lawful. . 
' Bickley. The organs are used before the prince, and 
therefore they are lawful. The argument is . ; 
:. 4. Do you then reason, that the cross in churches is 
lawful, because it used to stand before the prince? 
: Bi - As it stood before the prince, it might have 
been law ully used. and li F all 
a A. From what you say, tapers, ights, and near] 
the trash of popery, ma ull be Sawfly used. ™ 
s ‘Bickley. If you had the cross on which Christ died, 
would you say it was of no use? SS 
: <A. After the crucifixion of Christ, as well as before, the 
' eross on which he died was the same as any other piece of 


wood. | 

B. But, in refusing the surplice, you are disloyal to the 
queen, and shew your contempt of her laws. | 
- _A. In charging me with disloyalty, you do me t 
injury; and especially when you call me and my brethren 
traitors, and say, that we are more troublesome subjeets than 
papists. 

. I say the same still. Th 
but you are presumptuous, and 
spapists. - 8 | 

A. .If I, or any others who fear God, the truth, 
‘doth this disquiet the state? The papists for twelve yeats 
have been plotting treason against the queen and the gospel, 
yet this doth not grieve you. But I protest in the presence 
ef God and you all, that I am a true and fai subject 
‘to her majesty. I pray daily, both in public and private, 
for her safety, for her long and prosperous reign, and for the 
overthrow of all her enemies, especially the papists. Ido 

rofess myself an enemy to her enemies, and a ftiend to her 
Friend s. If, therefore, you have any conscience, cease to 
charge me with disloyalty to my prince. | 

B, Seeing you refuse to wear the surplice, which her 
majesty hath commanded, you do in effect deny her to be 
‘supreme governess in all causes ecclesiastical and temporal. 
- A. I do so far admit her majesty’s supremacy, that if 
there be any error among the governors of the church, she 
bas power to reform it: but Ido not admit her to be an 
‘ecclesiastical elder, or church governor. 

B. Yes, but she-is, and hath full power and authority all 


vif 


e  papists are afraid to. stir ; 
isquiet the state more than 


164 LIVES OF THE. PURITANS. 


manner of ways. Indeed, she doth not administer the sacz# 
ments and preach, but leayeth those things te us. But if 
she were @ man, as she is a woman, why might she not 
preach the word, as well as ourselves ? 7 

A. Might she preach the word of God, if she weree man? 
Then she might also administer the sacraments. . 

B. That does not follow. For you know Paul preached, 
but did not baptize. 

A. Faul confeeseth that he did baptize, though he was 


sent especially to preach. ; 
' B.- Did not Moees teach the people, and yet he wasa 
civil governor. Ft “ 
_ .A. Phe calling of Moses was extraordinary. Remember 
the king of Judah, how he would have sacrificed, in the 
‘temple of God. ‘Take heed how. you confound those offices 
‘which God hath distinguished. 3 
B. You see how he runneth. 
‘~ Bickley. He speaketh very confidently and rashly. 
B. This is his arrogant spirit. ’ 
-’ Sale. Why should you refuse ‘the surplice, seeing the 
“queen hath commanded it ? 7 - 
Bickley. The queen hath authority to command all things 
indifferent. : ; 
A. If those things be decent, tend to edification, and 
promote God’s glory ; but the surplice does none of these. 
. Bickley. Has not the church liberty to command the 
surplice to be used, as well as any other garment ? 
» No: because the surplice hath been abused, and: isstill 
abused, by the papists, in their superstition and idolatry. 
Bickley. I deny your reasons. , 
‘A. I prove what I said thus: God will not allow his 
church to borrow ceremonies from idolators, or to imitate 
‘them in their ceremonies, as .is evident from Ezekiet xtix 
But the papists.are idolators. Therefore, God will not 
‘allow us to borrow our ceremonies, as garments and other 
things,-from the papists. — , 
Bickley. How do you prove that out of Ezekiel 2?" ) 
' A. I prove it thas: The Egyptian priests used to shave 
_ their -heads; but God. commanded hie priests should sot 
shave. The Ecyptian priests used to drink wine: bat Gad 
commanded his priests, that when they did sacrifice, the 
should not drink wine. ‘And the Egyptian priests woes 
finen garments before the people: bat God co , 
_ that his pricgts should not ‘sanctify the people with dhe 


. 


AXTON. a ted 


B. God.commanded the tontrary. Do you-not temembes 

the garments of Aaron ? | 

A. I do remember them: But if you would wear the 
garments of Aaron, you must attend to the other ceremonies 
of Aaron’s priesthood. | 

B. Shew your place in Ezekiel. There is no such placed. 
You are deceived. 

A. I will thank you for 2 Bible. 

B. You should have brought your own books with you. 
¥ou see, I have brought my books. 

. And haye you nota Bible among them? I ou 
let me have a Bible. . my yen 

B. Let him have the Hebrew Bible. 

A. I pray you, let me have the Hebrew Bible. 

Bickley. Then let us hear you read the place. 

A. The place is this: ‘‘ And when they go forth into the 
outer court, even into the outer court of the people, they shall 
put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them 
in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments: 
and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments.’’s 

Here the dispute broke off. And notwithstanding alt his 
efitreaties and supplications, though the bishop+ acknow- 
ledged him to be a divine of good learning, a strong 
memory, and well qualified for the pulpit, the man 
was deprived of his living, and driven to seek his bread 


_* MS. Register, p. 50—-56. - 

+ Bishop Bentham complied with popery in the reign of Henry VIIL, 
but afterwards repented. Upon the accession of Queen Mary, being pere 
petual fellow of Magdaten college, Oxford, he was required to correct the 
junior scholars for their absence from the popish wership, bot refused, 
saying, ‘‘ He had indeed but top much repented of his compliance with the 
popish religion already ; and he esteemed it unjust to punish that in otherg, 
which he hitn<elf would willingly and knowingly do.” He was one of the 
preachers to the protestant congregation which assembled in private placed, 
during this gacen’s reign; and it is said, ‘‘ that by his encouragement and 
conutant preaching, the protestants did not only stand to their former prine 
ciple, bat were resolved to suffer whatever could be laid upon them, rathet 
than forfeit a good conscience.” He witnessed the sufferings of many ef 
the martyrs 3. and notwithstanding the cruel proclamation, “‘ that no maa 
should either pray for or speak to them, or once say God bless them,” Bene 
ftum secing the tire set to some of thent, turned his eyes to the people, and - 
sald,“ We know they are the people df God; and therefore we cannot 
olwose but avish them well, aad say God strengthen them:’” and so he beldly - 
eried out, *‘ Almighty God, for Christ's sake, strengthen them!” upon - 
which ati the people with one accord, cried, men, Amen; the noise of | 
which was ‘great, from the vast crowd of: people, that the officers knew - 
yrot whem to seize, er against wham to bring their atcusations, Bentham 
would have done well to have remembered these things when he became a 
lord bishop, and a persecuter of his fellow protestants, Bisgrapiis Britan. 
Wale ik e200. Hdl, 17TH : sO out 


166 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


in a foreign land. But, surely, such procecdings were 
unworthy of a protestant prelate, and too obvious an imita- 
tion of the popish severities. Do we find any such - 
ceedings in the first ages of the church of Christ? “i am 
sure,” says the learned Dr. Stillingfleet, “ it is contrary to 
the primitive practice, and the moderation then , to 
suspend or deprive men of their ministerial furictions, for 
not consenting to habits, gestures, and the like.’’ 


Tnomas Becon.—This celebrated divine was born in 
Suffolk, and educated in the university of Cambridge. 
He afterwards became chaplain to Archbishop Cranmer, 
and a zealous advocate for the reformation, even from its 
very commencement in the reign of King Henry VIII. He 
endured many troubles from the persecuting prelates; and in 
the year 1544, was apprehended, with Mr. Robert W isdome, 
another excellent reformer, by the cruel Bishop Bonner, 
when he was obliged to make a public recantation at Paul's 
cross, and burn his books.t Having obtained his release, he 
travelled for future safety towards the north, and at 
7 in the Dale, in the Peak of Derbyshire, where he 
taught school for his subsistence. At-this place, Mr. Alsop, 
& pious gentleman, and an avowed friend to the reformation, 
shewed him much civility, and afforded him seasonable 
relief. 

The severity of the times not suffering the zealous and 
faithful servants of the Lord to abide long in any one place, 
Mr. Becon was obliged to move into Staffordshire, where 
he was kindly entertained in the house of Mr. John Old, a 
man eminently distinguished for charity and piety. Mr. 
Wisdome, mentioned above, was also entertained with him. 
Mr. Becon, in his treatise, entitled “ The Jewel of Joy,” 
published in the reign of King Edward, gives this character 
of Mr. Old: ‘‘ He was to me and Wisdome, as Jason was 
to Paul and Silas: he received us joyfully into his house, 
and liberal! , for the Lord’s sake, ministered to Bay neces” 
sities. And as he began, so did he continue a right hearty 
friend, and dearly loving brother, so long as we 
in the country.t Here, as in his former situation, ‘he 
educated children in good literature and sound christiad 
doctrine, continuing, at the same time, ina close application 
to his studies. Afterwards, he removed into Leicestershire, 

* Conformist’s Plea, p. 14. Edit. 1681. From “ Iresicum.’’ oh! 

+ Fox’s Martyrs, vol, ii. p. 45. t Strype’s Cranmer, p. 876, ST7. 


BECON. = |. .: 147. 


where he was-for some time hospitably. entertained by: the 
Marquis of Dorset. Here he contracted a familiar acquaint: 
ance with Mr. John Aylmer, afterwards the famous bishop. 
of London, whom he calls his countryman» He next. 
remoyed into Warwickshire, where he still occupied the 
office of tutor to gentlemens’ sons. Upon this last removal, 
g his preat joy, he met with his old friend, the famous. 
ugh Latimer; who, about twenty years before, while they. 
were at Cambridge, had been instrumental in bringing him 
to the knowledge of the gospel. ; 
_ During the reign of Fleary VIII. the city of Canterbury 
was more hostile to the reformation than most other places ;. 
therefore, upon the accession of King Edward, Archbishop: 
ranmer placed in that city six of the most distinguished. 
reachers for learning and piety ; among whom was Mr. 
Beco n. The others were Nicholas Ridley, afterwards bishop. 
of London and martyr, Lancelot Ridley, Richard Tumer, 
Richard Beasely, and John Joseph. The ministry of thess 
learned divines proved a great blessing to the place, and, by. 
their labours, many persons were brought to embrace the 
gospel.t Also, during the reign of the above excellent 
prince, Mr. Becon, justly denominated a worthy and reve- 
rend divine, became chaplain to the protector Somerset, and 
was-made professor of divinity in the university of Oxford, 
where he gained much reputation.} But upon the accession 
of Queen Mary, he was apprehended in London, with Mr. 
Veron and Mr. Jehn Bradford, and committed-to the Tower. 
Here he remained above seven months in close confinement, 
meeting with most cruel usage; and having been made 
rector of St. Stephen, Walbrook, London, in 1547, he was 
deprived of both his office and benefit.§ 


= 


. ‘It was, indeed, nearly miraculous that this zealous 


yeformer escaped the fire. While many of his b 
and even those committed with him to the Tower, su 
at the stake, a kind providence constantly watched over 
him, and at length delivered him from the rage of all his 
enemies. During the reign of King Henry and formes 
of Queen Mary, Mr. n, to conceal himself from 
is malicious foes, who narrowly watched for his life, went 
by. the name of Theodore Bazil, and in the proclamation of 
the king, in 1546, as well as that of the queen, in 1555, he 


* Strype’s Aylmer, p. 7. 
+ Strype’s Cranmer, p. 161,.423. 


Churton’s Life of Nowell, p. 21 —Lapton’s Divines, p. 381. 
- § Serype’s Cranmer, p. 423.—New s Repert. Eccl. vol. i. p. 540. « 


168 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


is specified by that name.* At length, havirig been driven 
from one situation to another, and finding no place of safety 
in his own country, he. fied into a foreign land, und became © 
an exile in Germany. Daring his abode on the continent, he 
wrote an excellent letter to his godly brethren at home ; in 
which, besides declaring the cause of those calamities now 
come upon Iingland, he earnestly directed them to the mercy 
and faithfulness of God, for a redress of all their grievances. 
This \etter.was read in the private religious meetings of his 
persecuted countrymen, to their great edification and benefit: 

e'wrote, also, an epistle to the popish priests, wherein he 
made a just and an important difference betwixt the Lond’ 
supper, and the popish mass, denominating the latter a wicked 


. Mr. Becon remained in exile till the accession of Queen 
Elizabeth, when he returned to his native country, and 
became a most faithful-and zealous labourer in the vineyard 
of Christ. Having obtained distinguished reputation, he 
was soon preferred to several ecclesiastical benefices. He 
3s said to have been designed-for one of the chief preferments 
then vacant. In the year 1560, he became rector of Buck 
land in Hertfordshire, but most probably did rot hold it 
long. About the same time, he was preferred td-a prebend 
in the church:of Canterbuty; and in 1563, he became 
rector of St. Dionis Back-church, London. This’ last he 
held to his death.s : 
. In the year 1564, when conformity was rigorously int. 
upon the London clergy, Mr. Becon, with many of 

is puritan brethren, was cited before Archbishop Parker at 
Lambeth, and refusing to subscribe, he was immediately 
sequestered and deprived; though it is said, he afterwardd 
complicd, arid was preferred. It does not, however, appear 
what preferment he obtained. During the same year, hé 
revised and republished most of -his numerous and exeellent 
writings in three volumes folio, dedicating them to alt thé 
bishops ahd arehbishops of the realm. ‘The clergy were in 
eral at:-this time in a state of deplorable ignorance. Mf; 
‘con Was deeply affected with theirsituation, and extremely 
anxfous to rénder them: all the assistance in his power, 
Therefore, in thée‘year 1566, he published a book, entitled 
<<’ A'new Postil, containing ‘most godly and learned Sermons, 


-®. MS, Chronology, vol. i.p.221. (3]3.) "°° °°” 
¥: Strype’s Cranmer, p. 357, 358. °t Chuarton’s Life of Nowel, p. 40. 
§ Strype’s Parker, p. 12, 190.—Newcourt’s Repert. Eccl, vel. & p. $30, 
814. § Strype’s Grindal, p. 98. ree wed 


BECON. 169 


to be read in the Church throughout the Year; lately set 
forth unto. the great Profit, not only of all Curates and 
Spiritual Ministers, but also of all Godly and Faithful 
Readers.” Mr. Strype stiles him a famed preacher and 
writer, and the book a very useful work, containing honest, 
plain sermons upon the gospels, for all the Sundays in the 
year, to be read by the curates of congregations. The pre 
face, dated from Canterbury, July 16, 1566, is addressed 
6 to his fellow labourers in the Lord’s harvest, the ministers 
and preachers of God’s most holy word ;” in which he 
earnestly exhorts them to the discharge of their important 
duties. To this Postil he added two.prayers, one at some 
length, the other shorter, either of which was to be said 
before sermon, according to the minister's discretion: also 
a third prayer, to be repeated after sermon. . These prayers 
and scrmons were drawn up for the use of ministers who 
were not able to compose prayers and sermons, and for the 
further instruction of the people in sound and wholesome 
doctrine.» Bishop Parkhurst published verses in commen- 
dation of Mr. Becon and his excellent writings.t Durin 
the above year, he preached the sermon at Paul’s cross; an 
such was his great fame, and such his favour among persons 
ef distinction, that the lord mayor for that year presented a 
petition to Archbishop Parker, entreating’ his grace to 
prevail upon him to preach one of the sermons at the Spittle 
the following Easter.+ 

Our historians are divided in their opinion concerning 
the time of Mr. Becon’s death. Newcourt observes that he 
died previous to Septémber 26, 1567; and Lupton says he 
died in 1570.4 He was a divine of great learning and piety, 
a constant preacher, a great sufferer in the cause of rise 
and an avowed enemy to pluralities, nonresidence, and a 
the relics of popery,{ being ever zealous for the reformation 
ofthe church. He was a man of a peaceable spirit, always 
adverse to the imposition of ceremonies, and an avowed non- 
conformist, both in principle and practice. Mr. Strype 
justly denominates him famous for his great lcarning, his 
frequent preaching, his excellent writings, and manifold 
8 ering, in the reigns of King Henry, King Edward, 
Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth: One Mr. Thomas 


# Strype’s Parker, p. 228. + Lupton’s Modern Divines, p. $38. 
j Setrype’s Cranmer, p. 424. 
Repert. Eccl. vot. i. p. 380.—Hist. ef Diviues, p. S38, 
Q MS. Chronology, vol. ok 48, 
& Merype’s Cramner, p. 423;—Parker, p. 130. 


37@, LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Recon was of St. John’s college, Cambridge, public. orator 
and proctor in the university, and an active tending. man, 
most probably in the cause of nonconformity, by which he 
is said to have incurred the displeasure of the chancellor, 
formerly his patron and tadmirer. This was undoubl- 
edly the same person.* ie was author of numerous books, 
many of which were designed to expose the superstitions 
and errors of popery, and to encourage his fellow christians 
under persecution; and his labour of love -was signally 
useful. He wrote against the superstitious practice of 
bowing at the name of Jesus, as did several other puritans 
after him. According to Mr. Lupton, the following appears 
to be the most correct list of his numerous lea writings 
that can now be obtained : -. 


His Worxs.—1. News from Heaven.—2. A Banquet of Christ's 
Birth.—3. A Quadragesimal Feast.—4. A Method of Praying.—5. A 
Bundle or Posey of Flowers.—6. An Invective against Swearing.— 
7. Discipline fur a Christian Soldier—8. David’s Harp.—®. The. 
Government of Virtue.—10. A short Catechism.—il. A Book of 
Matrimony.—1J2. A Christian's New-Year’s Gift.—13. A Jewel of 
Mirth.—14. Principles of the Christian Religion.—I5. A Treatise of 
Fasting. —-16. The Castle of Comfort.—17. The Soul’s Solace.:—I6. 
The Tower of the Faithful.— 19. ‘The Christian Knight —20. Hemilies 
against Whoredom.—2!1. The Flowers of Prayers.—22. A sweet Box 
of Prayers.—23. The Sick Man’s Medicine.—24. A Dialugue of 
Christ's Nativity—25. An Invective against Idolatry —26. An Epistle 
to the distressed Servants of God.—27. A Supplication to God for the 
Restoration of his Word.—28. The Rising of the Popish Mass. +—29, 
Common-pleces of Scripture —30. A Comparison betwixt the Lord’s 
Supper and the Papal Mass.—31. Articles of Religion confirmed by 
the Authority of the Fathcrs.—32. The monstrous Wages of 
Roman Priests.—33. Romish Relics.—34. The Difference betwi 
God’s Word and Human Inveutions.—35. Acts of Christ and Anti- 
christ, with their Lives and Doctrine.—36. Chronicles of Christ.— 
37. An Abridgement of the New Testament.—38. Questions of the 
Holy Scripture.—3Q. The glorious Triumph of God’s Word.—40. The 
Praise of Death.—41. Postils upon all the Sundays’ Gospels.—42. A 
Disputation upon the Lord’s Supper. | 


GiLBERT ALcocK was an excellent minister of parttan 
principles, but silenced, with many of his brethren, for non- 


conformity. April 3, 1571, he presented a supplication to the. 
convocation, in behalf of himself and his suffering brethren, 


* Baker’s MS, Collection, vol. i. p. 193. 

+ This excellent work was reprinted in the fime of Archbishop Land s 
but upon the complaint of a popish priest, his grace commanded it te be 
suppressed, and threatened the printer with a prosecation. Sech was the 
spirit and inclination of this pretestent prelate.—Canterdurics Deqme,p. 516. 


ALCOCK. # ¢. IE 


earnestly soliciting the house to consider their case, and 
redress their grievances. In this supplication, now before 
me, he spoke with considerable freedom and boldness, con- 
cerning the corruptions of the church. He expressed 
himself as follows :—*°* The ceremonies now retained in the 
church, and urged upon the consciences of christians, occa- 
sion the blind to stumble and fall, the obstinate to become 
more hard-hearted, Christ's messengers are persecuted, the 
holy: sacrament is profaned, God dishonoured, the truth 
despised, christian duty broken, and the hearts of many are 
sorely vexed : they cause papists and wicked men to rejoice 
in superstition, error, idolatry, and wickedness: they set 
friends at variance, and provoke the curse of God. Woe 
unto him by whom the offence cometh. 

“The godfathers and: godmothers, who promise to do so 
much for the child, are the pope’s kindred; and, by his 
canon law, like priests, are forbidden to marry. It is 
holden that kneeling in the public sacrament, is more 
reverent, more religious, and more honourable to God; 
and thus they make themselves wiser than Jesus Christ, who 
sat with his disciples at the last supper. Matt. xxvi. Jn 
vain do ye worship me, teaching for doctrines the command- 
 snents of men. 

‘¢: If a minister preach true doctrine and live virtuously, 
yet omit the least ceremony for conscience sake, he is im~ 
mediately indicted, deprived, cast into prison, and his 
goods wasted and destroyed; he is kept from his wife and 
children, and at last excommunicated, even though the 
articles brought against him be ever so false» How heavy 
these ceremonies lie upon the consciences of christians; and. 
what difference there is between them, and those for which 
the people of God have been, and are still, so much perse- 
cuted, judge ye, as ye expect to be judged in the day of 
judgment. Those who observe your ceremonies, though 
they be idolaters,; common swearers, adulterers, or much 
‘worse, live without punishment, and have many friends. 
We, therefore, beseech your fatherhoods to pity our case, to 
take these stumbling-blocks from us, that we may live quiet 
and peaceable lives, to the honour of our God.”+ The 
convocation were, however, of another mind; and, instead 
of lessening their burdens, very much increased them. 

‘* Bishop Maddox has endeavoured to invalidate this statement of Mr. 
Alcock, but completely failed in the attempt. He has produced ad- 


ditional evidence of the extreme severities inflicted upon the oppressed 
pnritans.— Vindication, p. 335, $36. : 


+ MS. Register, p. 90—92. 


173 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Davin Wuiteneap, B. D.—This famous divine, greatly 
eelebrated for learning, piety, and moderation, was edue 
cated at Oxford, and chaplain tae Queen Anne Bavilen. 
Archbishop Cranmer says, *“ he was endowed with good 
knowledge, special honesty, fervent zeal, and politic 
wisdom ;” for which, in the year 1552, he nominated him 
as the fittest person to become Archbishop of Ar “ 
The nomination, however, did net succeed; for an 
was chosen to the place.» In the beginning of the bloody: 
persecution of Queen Mary, he fled from the storm, and 
retired to Frankfort, where he was chosen pastor to the: 
English congregation. Here he was held in high eateem 
by his fellow exiles. He discovered his great wisdom and 
moderation, and answered the objections of Mr. H 
relative to church discipline, and the worship of God, and 
used his utmost endeavours to compose the differences 
among his brethren.+ 
Upon the accession of Queen Elizabeth, Mr. Whitehead 
returned home; and, the same year, was appointed, together 
with Drs. Parker, Bill, May, Cox, Grindal, Pilkington, and 
Sir Thomas Smith, to review King Edward’s liturgy. The 
same liturgy was published the following year. This was 
the third cdition of the English liturgy ever published, 
the two former editions having come forth in the reig# of 
King Edward.t In the year 1559, he was appointed one 
of the public disputants against the popish bishops. ‘Fhe 
subjects of disputation were,—1. ** Whether it was not aguinat 
the word of God, and the custom .of the ancient church, 
to use, in the common prayers and adyinistration of the 
sacraments, a tongue unknown to the people.—2. W hethet 
every church hath authority to appoint, change, and take 
away, ceremonics and ecclesiastical rites ; so the same were 
done to edification.—And 3, whether it could be proved 
by the word of Ged, that in the mass there was a propitiatory, 
sacrifice for the quick and the dead.” The other disputants 
on the side of the protestants, were, Dr. Story, bishep of 
Chichester, Dr. Cox, Mr. Grindal, Mr. Horne, Mr. Sandys, 
Mr. Gest, Mr. Aylmer, and Mr. Jewel ; most or all of whom 
after wards became bishops, and some of them archbishops.§ 
On this occasion, Mr. Whitehead had a fine opportanity of 
displaying his great learning, piety, and eration; and 
he shewed himself to be so profound 2. divine, that the 


sd Strype’s Cranmer, p. 274—278. oe _ 
+ Troubles at Frankeford, p. 52, cat «9 eee oe 
+ Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 52. Fox's Martyrs, vol. ii, me OO. 


WHITEHEAD. 173 


queen-offered him tht archbishopric of Canterbury. ‘ This 
he ‘declined, as some thought, from a. desire of privacy ; but 
as others thought, from a disaffection to the ecclesiastical 
discipline. ‘The mastership of the Savoy, which he might 
have accepted without subscription, was also offered him 
about the same time; but he would accept of no preferment 
an the church, as it then stood. Refusing to embrace these 
offered promotions, he excused himself to the queen, by 
eayings he could live plentifully by the preaching of the 
gospel without any preferment.« While others exerted 
themselves to obtain dignified titles and worldly emelument, 
he was content with deserving them. Accordingly, he went 
up and dewn like an apostle, preaching the word where it 
was most wanted ; and spent his life in celibacy, which 
gained-him the greater reputation in the eye of the queen, 
who was never fond of married priests. Jt is observed, 
that Mr. Whitehead coming one day to the queen, ber 
majesty said to. him, ‘I like thee the better, Whitehead 
because thou livest unmarried.” “ In troth, Madam,” 
replied Mr. Whitehead, “ I like you the worse for the same 
cause.”+ — 

In the year 1564, Mr. Whitehead shared the same fate 


with many of his brethren. He was cited before the eccle- 


siastical commissioners, and suffered deprivation, for none 
conformity to the rites and ceremonies of the church, 
Though it does not appear how long he remained under the 
ecclesiastical censure, Bishop Maddox is greatly mistaken: 
when he asserts, “ that Mr. Whitehead alwa s continu 

preaching, that he approved the constitutien of the churc 

and died a member of the church of England.’’5 ‘The 
celebrated Lord Bacon observes, that though he was much 
esteemed by Queen Elizabeth, he was not preferred, because 


he was against the government of the bishops. During his , 


deprivation, he most probably united with the other non- 
conformist divines, in presenting to Archbishop Parker, a 
paper of reasons for refusing the apparel. This exccllent 
paper, now before me, is entitled “ Reasons grounded upon 
the Scriptures, whereby we are persuaded not to admit the 


use of the outward apparel, and ministering garments of © 


the pope’s church.”s Mr. Whitehead died in the year 
1571. ‘According to Wood, he was a great scholar, and a 


* Fuller’s Worthies, part ji. p. 12 


p. 12. t Ibid. ; 
Strype’s Grindal, p. 98. § Vindication of the Chureh, p. $37. 


. i Bacon's Works, vol. li. p. 419. Edit..1903, 
2 MS. Register, p. 57—60. 


174 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


most excellent professor of divinity. In the opinion of 
Fuller, he was a man of great learning, a divine, and 
a rare example of moderation and self-denial.t It is ab- 
served of Coverdale, Turner, and Whitehead, three worthy 
ritans, “‘ That they were the most ancient preachers of 
gospel, and the most ancient fathers of this our country ; 
and that from their pens, as well as their mouths, most of 
Queen Elizabeth’s divines and bishops first received the 
Hight of the gospel.”} Mr. Whitehead was author of 
“c ions and Homilies on, St. Paul’s Epistles,” and pro- 
bably some other works. 


_ Mr. Mituain was felfow of Christ’s college, Cam- 
bridge, and one of the preachers to the university. He 
maintained liberty of conscience, and publicly avowed his 
sentiments. Being thoroughly dissatisfied with the corrup- 
tions in the church, he openly declared his opinion of them, 
as things worthy of censure. In the year 1572, havi 
delivered a sermon in St. Mary’s church, be was con 
before the vice-chancellor Dr. Bying, and the heads of 
colleges, when he was charged with having delivered the 
following opinions:—1. “ That the ordering and making 
of ministers as used. in the church of England, is an 
horrible confusion, and contrary to the word of God.—2. 
That ignorant and unpreaching ministers are no ministers.— 
8. That such as are not called by some particular congre- 
gation, are no ministers—4. That able’ and sufficient 
ministers are rejected from the sacred function.—5. That 
the clergy of England deface and pull down the church, by 
maintaining both adultery and idolatry —6. That to com- 
mand saints’ eves to be observed, is idolatry. —7. That to 
command saints’ days to be kept as days of fasting, is 
abominable idolatry.” — W hen he was examined upon these 
ints, he confessed the whole, declaring that what he 
ad delivered was according to the word of God. Refusing, 
therefore, to revoke these dangerous errors, as they are 
called, he was expelled from his college, and driven from 
the university.§ . 


Wirtiam Bonuam was a zealous nonconformist, and & 
considerable sufferer under the oppressions of the persee 

* Wood's Athenw Oxon. vol. i. p. 185, 136. . 

+ Faller’s Werthies, part ii. p. 12. ¢ Strype’s Cranmer, p. 274, 

§ Serype’s Whitgift, p.48,49. Appen.-p.16. 9 


- MILLAIN—BONHAM. - 475 


cuting prelates. In the year 1569, he and Mr. Nicholas 
Crane, another puritan minister, were licensed to preach by 
Bishop Grindal. Their licenses. are said to have been 
granted on condition that they should avoid all conven- 
ticles, and all things contrary to the order established in 
this kingdom. Accordingly, they made the following pro- 
mise, signed. with their own hands.:—“ I do faithfully 
“promise, that I will not, any time hereafter, use any 
“¢ public preaching, or open reading, or expounding of the 
‘scriptures; nor cause, neither be present at, any private 
“* assemblies of prayer or expounding of the scriptures, or 
“* ministering the communion in any house, or other piace, 
** contrary to the state of religion now by public authority 
“¢ established, or contrary to the laws of this realm‘of Eng- 
“‘land. Neither will I inveigh against any rites or cere- 
* monies used or received by common authority within 
this realm.”* Such were the conditions on which these 
divines entered the sacred function! But, surely, if the 
church of England, so lately: separated from the church of 
Rome, had come immediately from heaven, and been as 
infallible as its natural parent, the mother church, pretended, 
it would have been too wisely constructed to require such 
tyrannical promises of the Lord’s servants. 

_ The two divines were afterwards apprehended and cast 
into prison for nonconformity, where they remained more 
than twelve months, and then they were released. But 
persisting in the same practice, and not keeping to the exact 
order established in the church of England, Mr, Bonham 
‘was again committed to prison, and Mr. Crane was silenced 
from preaching within the diocese of London; but it does 
not appear how long’ they continued under these eccle- 
siastical oppressions.t+ | 

Mr. Bonham was a zealous man in the cause of the 
reformation. Being concerned for the restoration of a purer 
€eclesiastical discipline, he, in 1572, united with his brethren 
in the formation of the presbyterian church at Wandsworth 
an Surrey.t{ Our divine was afterwards called to endure 
fresh trials. Mr. Bonham and Mr. Nicholas Standen, 
another puritan minister, were brought under the tyrannical 
power of the high. commission, and cast into prison for non- 
conformity. After having continued under confinement a 
long time, and being deeply afflicted with the sickness of 

*. Strype’s Grindal, p. 156. 

+t Ibid. p. 153—155.—MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 405. (6.) 


¢ Faller’s Church Hist. b. ix. p. 103, 


176 | LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


the prison, they presented their petitions to the lords of 
the council, to which their lordships paid immediate atten- 
tion. They accordingly addressed a letter to Archbishop 
Parker and other commissioners, signitying that they should 
be glad to assist them in any /awfud cause against such ag 
refused conformity ; yet they did not like men to be so long 
detaincd without having their casue examined, ji 
them to proceed in such cascs more speedily in future. 
They entreat them to examine the cause of the twe com- 
plainants, and, in case they should be found so sick that 
they could not continue in prison without inconvenience, te 
suffer them to be bailed till their cause should be ended.* 

Ebis effort of the council seems to have been witheut 
any good effect. Undismayed, hewever, by the fixst 
repulse, they made a second application, but in a style 
much more peremptory. They addressed: another letter te- 
the archbishop alone, signifying, that, for good considera-: 
tions, it was her majesty's pleasure that Bonham asd. 
Standen, committed by his lordship for breach. of con» 
formity, should be set at liberty, upon warning to observe 
the laws in their public ministry in future, or else to abstain 
from it.+ | 

Mr. Strype observes, that, during the above eae these 
two divines were accused of being concerned in Undertree’s 
sham plot, and committed to prison; but, upon examina- 
tion, they were found innocent, and were both acquitted and 
released by order of council.;: 


Rosert Jounson was fellow of King’s college, Cam- . 
bridge, and domestic chaplain to Lord Keeper Bacon. He 
preached and administered the sacrament in his lordship’s 
amily at. Gorambury, and was statedly employed in the 
ministry at St. Alban’s. In July, 1571, he was brought. 
into trouble for nonconformity. He was cited before Arche - 
bishop Parker, and the Bishops of Winchester and Ely, at 
Lambeth. Upon his appearance, he was threatened to be 
silenced if he would not subscribe. Accordingly, not being 
satisfied in every point contained in the articles proposed to 
him, and refusing subscription, he was immediately sus 
_ pended. Afterwards, he sent the following humble letter. to- 
the. commissioners, earnestly desiring to be restored to his 


* Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xxi. p. 384. + Ibid. p. 385. 
} Strype’s Parker, p. 466. 


R. JOHNSON. .. 177 


ministty. This letter was dated from the lord keepér’s 
shouse, Gorambury, near St. Albans, August 14, 1571. . | 

"$6 Whereas July 4th,” says he, “‘ being before your lord- 
ships, to answer to your three articles, I did: forbear to 
‘subscribe: to the first, viz. ‘ That the Book of Common 
. Prayer is agreeable to the word of God,’ because it seemed 
‘to me to. contain a license of administering baptism by 


- women, a thing forbidden by the word of God. And being 


suspended and sequestered, I have abstained from preachi 
and administering the sacrament, and thereby, my lord, and 
his family, have suffered the want of those most necessary 
‘and comfortable religious privileges. Therefore, my duty 
‘to his lordship’s household, and to that part of the church 
from which I receive some maintenance, move me with all 
‘due humility and submission, to beseech you that I may be 


. restored to my former liberty. 


‘¢ And concerning the articles, I trust this will suffice and 


fully answer your: intention, that, by this my letter, sub- 


-scribed with my own hand, I-do promise ahd declare, that 


- I did not mean to vary from the ordinary book of service, 


in my ministry. Neither to inveigh against it by ‘public 
‘speech, wittingly, or maliciously ; but to move the auditory 
‘to hold the truth in matters of faith and sound religious 
practice, and to live for ever in the fear of God.- And I 
think that the contents of the service book, then expressly 
‘mentioned, and according to the exposition then given to me, 
‘are not defective,.nor expressly contrary to ‘the word of 
-God ; and that the imperfections thereof, may, for the sake 
of unity and charity, be suffered, till God grant a more 
perfect reformation : Yor which, every man, according to his 
‘particular vocation, ought diligently to labour. | | 
«¢ As to the second article, ‘That the apparel of ministers 


“is not wicked, and dircctly against the word of God; and 
‘being appointed by the prince only for the sake of policy, 


‘obedience, and order, it may be used ;’ yet is it not generally 
expedient, nor edifying. 

' 6 And as to the third, ‘ That the articles of religion, 
which only concern the confession of the true christian 


. faith; and the doctrine of the sacrament, comprised in a 


- atid Bishops of both Provinces, .and. the whole Clergy, 


‘book, entitled Articles agreed upon by the Archbishops 
in 
rd 


‘the convocation holden in London, in the year of our 


- +1562,’ and every of them, contain true and godly christian 


doctrine. 


‘¢ And because I perceived it to be offensive to his grace 
‘VOL. I. N 


178 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


the archbishop, that I hold by the favour of the lord keeper, 
2» prebend in Norwich, I now inform you, that I mean to 
inquish it the next half year following. Trusting, that 
upon the receipt of this my humble submission, you will 
ease me, and grant me a new license to preach. And so 
committing your lordships, in all your y and zealous 
undertakings, to the direction and blessing of i 
‘God. Subscribing myself your lordships’ most 
petitioner «“ Ropert JoHNSON.’* 


What effect this letter produced, we are not able to learn; 
but it probably failed to answer the end pro We 
find, however, in the year 1573, that Mr. Johnson was 
brought into further trouble. He was convened before the 
Bishop of Lincoln, and required to subscribe to the three 
curious articles following : 

1. “ Tam content hereafter, in my open sermons and vaigion 
preaching, to forbear to impugn the articles of reli 
agreed upon in the Synod at on, in 1562, or any of 

em. 

2. “ Neither will I speak against the state of the church 
of England, now allowed by the laws of this realm; nor 
against the Book of Common Prayer, or any thing com 
tained therein. . ; 
_ 8. Neither will I say or sing, or cause, procure, or mail- 

tain any other to say or sing, any Common or open praye?, 
or minister any sacrament, otherwise, or in any 
manner or form, than is mentioned in the said book, till 
further order be taken by public authority.” 

Mr. Johnson refusing subscription, answered as follows :-= 
‘© Whether these articles be such as I ought in duty to sub 
scribe, and whether for refusing this subscription, I deserve 
to be openly declared a forsaker of the church, and the 
flock committed to my care, and whether it be matter for 
which I ought to be defamed, I refer to your worship's 
. Consideration, upon the following reasons: . 
<< I take it for granted, that there are faults, and such as 
| ought to be reformed, both in the government of the church, 

and in the Book of Common Prayer, upon which I reason 
thus. .Either there is, or there is not, a reformation in 
by those oad that i . If there be a Te rmearod the 
‘then it is that the people’s min pre manp- 
willingly to receive it when it comes, and to,pemuady.thagt 


* Strype’s Parker, p. 327,:398, 


¢ 


_they may preach these things to t 
hath T 


R. JOHNSON. . A¥9 


by-sound reason and the authority of scripture, before they 
are compelled by law to obey. This preparation of the 
people to obey, is-necessary, lest they be compelled to obey ' 
they know not what. Therefore, that the people may the 
more willingly, and without murmuring, agree to a reforma- 
tion, and praise the Lord for the same, it is necessary they 
Should first know the defects in the church, which need 
xeformation. But if 6 reformation be intended, it is 
proper the people should understand how much the church 
stands in need of it, that they may. pray unto God to stir 
-ap those who are in authority to promote it; and, no doubt, 
the Lord will the sooner hear. their prayers. So that 
‘whether a reformation be intended, or not intended, the 
church of God should be told-of its corruptions, that the 
‘people may the more willingly praise when they are 
taken away, and the more earnestly pray unto him until 
-they -be taken away. This is one reason why ministers 
should not bind themselves to conceal the faults and cor- 
.Yuptions remaining in the church. 

“‘ Another reason is, that seeing there are many preachers 
,who maintain that the government of the church is perfectly 
good, and that the Prayer Book needs no amendment; and 
as these preachers have license to preach where they please 

hat flock over which G 
made me overseer ; if I should consent and subscribe, 
Ahat,.in such a case, I will not speak, I cannot see how I 
ould acquit myself before God. Therefore, the fear of 
this evil, in these days of peril and confusion, is another 
reason for not giving either the promise of my word, or the 
subscription of my hand, to hold my peace against the 
ment of the church, and every thing contained in 
he Book of Common Prayer. 

. © Also, in the Book of Common Prayer, there is a manifest 
abuse of scripture: as in the ordination of ministers, it is 


‘said, Receive the Holy Ghost. Corrupt prayers: as in 


confirmation, ‘‘ Almighty God, who hast vouchsafed to 


.zegenerate these thy servants, by water and the Holy Ghost, 


‘and hast given them the forgiveness of all their sins.” These 


@nd many such faults in the book, are such, that a preacher 


pught not to promise and subscribe, that he will never speak 


Any thing against them. There are, likewise, many aii 


dn the government of. the church: as the court of 


‘the high commission court, dispensations for nonresidence, 
and many others, against which I cannot oblige myself that I 
Wil never speak.” This answer, with:much more to the game 


180 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


purpose, Mr. Johnson delivered August 6, 1573, subscribed 
with his own hand * ne 
We do not, indeed, find what immediately followed his 
‘refusing to subscribe; whether he was dismissed, and allowed 
to go on in his ministry, or sent to prison. Most probably 
he was released; for he afterwards became minister of St. 
Clement’s church, London. Here, however, he enjoyed bat 
little repose; for towards the close of December, in the 
above year, he and some others. were committed close 
" prisoners to the Gatehouse, for nonconformity.+ February 2d, 
‘following, Mr. Johnson being still in prison, wrote a letter 
to Dr. Sandys, bishop of London, whom he styles “ super- 
intendant of popish corruptions in the diocese of London,” 
In this letter, he reminds his lordship of some of the existing 
evils, especially that of professed christians persecuting one 
another. ‘ There is,”’ says he, “ persecution enough. Some 
are imprisoned, and are in danger of losing, not only their — 
‘liberty, but also their lives, being compelled to remain in 
filthy jails, more unwholesome than dunghills, and more 
stinking than pig-styes. Others are persecuted in their 
minds, by being enforced to subscribe to those things 
against which every good man’s conscience makes a stand, 
and every godly man disallows. Jt is a great evil for a man 
to lose or spend his property in prison ; it is a greater, to 
lose his reputation; it is greater still, to lose his liberty; 
. but it is greatest of all, to be greatly distressed and disquieted 
int his conscience. Take heed, therefore, lest you get yout 
name enrolled amongst the number of persecutors. Let not 
worldly policy prevail more than true divinity. Let not 
‘man cause you to do that which God has forbidden. Let not - 
‘the commission draw you further than God’s word will 
allow. Let not your honour here on earth, cause you to do 
that which is against the honour of God. Let not: your 
‘ palace make you forget the temple of Christ. 

“ The present persecution is among brethren, not only of 
one nation, but of one profession: those who persecute, and 
those who are persecuted, believing in one God, professir 
one Christ, embracing one religion, receiving one gos 
communicating in one sacrament, and having one hope of 
‘salvation. Dissention in a kingdom, discord in a nation, 
controversy among neighbours, and contention among 
brethren, are more to be feared than any of them among 
.chemics. You say, you are our chief pastor,-we -desire 


* Parteofa Register,p.94—100. . + Baker's Mi: Collecvel. xxait. , $40. 


e 
») 


- ... R. JOHNSON. .....: 181. ° 


food: you say, you are our doctor, we desire to be taught. . 
This is the best way to win us, and the best for you to use. : 
The laws and authority of men, should not set aside the 
laws and authority of God. The popish logic of slander and 
imprisonment will not prevail at last. The Fleet, the Gate- - 
house, the White-lion, the Hing 'e-bencl and Newgate, : 
are weak arguments to convince the conscience.”’* 

Upon the 20th day of the same month, Mr. Johnson . 


* was brought to trial before his judges, and examined at: 


Westminster-hall, in the presence of the queen’s commis- 
sioners, the bishop of London, the dean of Westminster, the 
lord chief justice, and others. He was accused of marryin 
without the ring, and of baptizing without the cross, which 
he did for a time; but upon complaint against him, he 
begun again to use them. He was accused, also, of a 

i eanour, as it is called; because when he was once 
administering the sacrament, the wine falling short, he sent. 
for more, but did not consecrate it afresh, accounting the 

rmer Consecration sufficient for what was applied to the 
same. use, at the same time. The examination which he: 
underwent at his trial, was as follows: : 

Johnson. If it please your honours, may I not submit. 
myself, and declare the truth of things as they were done? | 

Lord Chief Justice. Yes, you may. 

J. I stand here indicted for three points. The first is, 
that I have not repeated the words of the institution; or, as: 
they commonly call it, I did not consecrate the wine, when. 
I delivered it to the communicants.—Secondly, that I have 
not married with the ring.—Thirdly, that I have not used 
the cross in the administration of baptism, and have left 
out the whole sentence for that purpose.t—Unto these 


- Charges, I answer, that respecting the contempl, as expressed. 


in the indictment, I plead, not guilty. And as to the first 
of those charges, I answer under my protestation, that at no 
time,:in celebrating the communion, have I omitted any 
prayer or words of the institution, which the book pre« 

ibeth, but have used them in as full and ample a manner 


* Parte of a Register, p. 101—105. 

+ Ia Mr. Jobnson’s indictment, he was charged with having solemnized 
matrimony, between one Leonard Morris and Agnes Miles, without using 
the ring. And having baptized a male child that he did not know, he did 
not make the sign of the cross on its forehead, nor use the following words: 
“* Wereceive this child into the congregation of Christ’s flock, and do sign 
“* bim with the sign of the cross,”’ as contgined in the Book of Common 
Prayer; ‘* And that-he did the same, voluntarily, and in contempt of the 
“ ‘ig and her laws, and against the peace of the realm.” —MS. Register, 
pe ive ns . . 


188 LIVES OF THE. PURITANS. 


as they are appointed. Only upon a cértain occasion, whea. . 
the wine failed, I sent for more, which I delivered to the 
people, using the words appointed in the book to be used 
in the delivery of the sacrament, not again repeating the 
words of the institution: partly, because, as | take it,-being 
an entire action and one supper, the words of the institution 
at first delivered were sufficient ; and partly, because, in the 
Book of Common Prayer, there is no order appointed to 
which I could refer the case. And as to the second, I - 
answer that once or twice, | did not use the ring. For 
looking into the mass-book, | found the words with which 
the papists hallow the ring ; and because this seemed to me 
no less derogatory to the death of Christ, than holy bread 
and holy water, { thought as other persons had omitted 
those, | might omit this. 

Commissioner. There is no such thing in the Book of. 
Common Prayer. 

Dean. He speaketh of the mass-book. 

Bishop. Then you compare the mass-book and the com- 
mon prayer book, and make the one as bad as the other. 

J. My lord, I make no such comparison. But after I 
was complained of to my ordinary, Dr. Watts, archdeacon 
of. Middlesex, who reprehended me,I used the ring, as I 
have good and sufficient witness. Since, therefore, f did 
in this default correct myself, I refer myself to your honour’s 
discretion, whether I have herein stubbornly and contempta- 
ously broken the law.—As to the third charge, | answer, 
that I have omitted to make the sign of the cross, but not of 
contempt. But seeing I have already suffered seven weeks 
imprisonment, with the loss of my place and living, I 
beseech you, be indifferent judges, whether this ‘be not 
sufficient for so small] a crime. | 

Mr. Gerard. You were pot sent to prison for that, but fow 
your irreverent behaviour. 

J. I trust, sir, I did not behave myself more irreverently 
than I do now. Whereas the indictment is, that I omitted 
the whole prayer, ‘“ We receive this child,” &c. . This-is 

; for I. never administered baptism without using that 
prayer, though I omitted making the sign of the cross. 

. Those two are but trifles. The chief is the corsecta- 
tion of the sacrament. For, as it had not the word, it was 
no sacrament, and so the people were mocked. ; 

J. My lord, I did not mock the people; for it was 5 
gacrament. | | . ol. 

D. St. Augustin saith, “‘ That the word must be added te 


| B. JOHNSON. _ . ies 
the clement, to make a sacrament.” You lacked the word, 


therefore, it was no sacrament. 
J. the word. | | - 
. B. How had you the word, when you confess that you 
recited not the institution ? | 
J. I had recited the institution before, and that .was 
sufficient. So 
D. Yea, for that bread and wine that was present; but 
when you sent for more bread or wine, you should again 
have rehearsed the words of the institution. . . 
J. The book appointed no such thing. > 
B. Yes, sir, the book saith, you shall have sufficient 
bread and wine, and then the prayer of the institution 
must be recited. Now, as you had not sufficient, you 
should, therefore, have repeated the institution. 
J. ‘There is no such cayeat, nor proviso, appointed .in the 


B. But that is the meaning of the book. 

J. Men may make what meaning they please; but I refer 
myself to the book, whether or not it be so appointed. 

D. You are not forbidden to use the repetition. 

J. Neither am I commanded. - 

D. I will prove this to be the meaning of the book. For it 
is said in the prayer, “ these creatures of bread and wine :” 
so that the book hath respect to the bread and wine there 
present, and not to any other. Therefore, if there be any 
more brought, it must be consecrated afresh, by the words 
of the institution. | . 3 

J. I pray you tell me one thing. Are the words of the 
institution spoken for the bread, or for the receivers ? 

D. For both. 

‘J. I deny that. For the evangelist declares, that Christ 
said unto his disciples, to teach them for what end and pur- 
pose they should take the bread. 

D. Then the word is of no force. ; 

J. I deny that. The word is necessary to the substance 
of the sacrament. Bit this is not the question: we both 
confess this. Herein is the controversy, whether it be ne- 
cessary for the institution to be repeated, seeing it is but 
one and the same action, and. the same communicants 
as before, for whom the words are spoken. If it had 
not Leen the sathe supper, or if the communicants had 
been changed, it would have been necessary to rebearse the 

B. You like yourself very well, and you are stubborn 


184. LIVES OF THE PURITANS, 
and arrogant. I have before heard of your stubbotn heart,’ 
but 


now I perceive it. 

J. My lord, who he is that liketh himself so well, and.is 
so stubborn and arrogant, that Lord, who trieth the hearts 
of all, must judge. 

B. Why, you being unlearned, stand stubbornly against 
us all, and so no learning will satisfy y 

J. Twould fain understand wit ‘yhat words Christ did 
consecrate. 

Dr. Wilson. With this word, benedizrit. 

J. Beit so. But we know not the words with which 
Christ did benedicere. Therefore, we must consecrate with 
we know not what. 

L.C.J.. Ah! Johnson. Is this your submission ? 

J. I must needs defend my own innocence. 

G. Johnson, you in a manner conftes as much as yeu 
are charged with. For you confess, that when the words of. 
the institution were recited, you had no wine. 

J. I do not confess that. I had both bread and wine. 

G. yet you had not that wine. 


G. Therefore it was not consecrated. 
J. The words before repeated were sufficient for the c cone 


secration. 


D. Then, with those words you consecrated all the wine: 
in the tavern. 

J. No, sir, it was the wine that was brought from the. 
tavern to the church, and of a common wine, was appointed . 
to ‘be a sacramental wine, to represent Christ’s bl ; and 
this is consecration. 

 D. Why then, with you, the word is of no force. - 

J. It. is not of force to bring any holiness to the sacre< | 
ment. .I. trust you do not think that the word maketh the 
bread an holier when used in the sacrament, ; 

es, it is holy bread. 

B ‘Itisa holy sacrament. 

J. That I confess: But holiness isin the use and end 
not in the substance. For otherwise you would make’ a 
magical enchantment of it, and not a consecration. Dre - 
Cranmer, in his book on ‘the sacrament, saith, é There 
cometh na holiness to the bread by consecration.” “ 

- If thou wert.well served, thou wouldst be used like 
. m Whee dgment be, I stand fal to 
atever your ju nt ma or 
my own Lord. y oe y . 


R. JOHNSON. © > 165. 


‘.B. You know not what harm you have done, by defend- 
ing an error before this company, bringing them so inte: 
doubt, that they know not which way to take. 

' J. My lord, I defend no error. 1 maintain the truth. “ 
D. Nay, you maintain a horrible heresy. ss 
Bromley. Yea, if you were well served, you should. fry 

a faggot. : 

J. As you say that I maintain a heresy, I pray you shew 
me by what commandment I am bound to the precise words 
of the institution. | 

D. As the word in baptism is, ‘I baptize thee ‘in the: 

‘name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost:” so 
the word in the Lord’s supper is the rehearsal of the 
institution. : 

J. Bullinger was of another mind; for he saith, “ The: 
consecration of sacraments is not by the nature, will, com-. 
mand, or precept of Christ, nor from the authority of any 
other.” . 

D. Where doth he say this ? 

J. Sermon vi: decad 5. 

D. You falsify his words. 

J. No, I cite them right. And the churches of Geneva 
and Scotland consecrate with other words, without using the: 
words of the institution, except in preaching. 
- D. You slander those churches, as appeareth from their 
own words, which I have here in a book. ' . 

J. I have not slandered those famous churches. Let their 
liturgy witness, And as to that book, there is nothing in it 
which I do not believe. But I pray you, my lord of . 
London, answer me one question. Must consecration be: 
" performed before the delivery of the elements, or after? 

B. I will not answer it. 

J. It is only a question. I pray you answer it. 

B. Answer it thyself. : | 

D. It shall be answered. The consecration must go be- 
fore; for Christ gave a sacrament, which could not be 
without the word. Consecration, therefore, must go before. 

J. But Christ spake the word after.the distribution. For 
he first gave them the bread, and then said, “ Take, eat, this 
is my body.” | 5 

D. And what then? cc 

J. Then, according to what you say, Christ did not con« 
secrate aright. 

D You defend a horrible heresy: for you reject the 
wor : | 


isa ‘LIVES OF THE PURITANS. | 


J. I do not reject the word, but would understand what 
the word megneth. ° 

D. It meaneth the institution of Christ. 

J. All writers do not so understand it. Some by the 
word, understand the promises, as Musculus, Bullinger, 
Peter Martyr, and Calvin. 

D. The word is not the promise. 4 

J. These learned men so take it. Herein I am content 
to refer myself to the judgment of the learned. 

L.C.J. Here is my lord of London, a prelate of the 
realm, and a bishop, and this gentleman, Mr. Dean; d 
thou think they are not learned? — 

J. I neither despise, nor deprave their learning. But as 
to the words of the institution, I say, they are to be consi-: 
dered, either as they are expressly set down by the evan- 

list; or, as other words are used equivalent to them, 

eclaring the sum and substance of them, and, in either 
case, the institution is whole and sound. Consecration may . 

be taken either according to the consecration of the papists, 
_ who say, “ This is my body, and this is my blood ;”’ or, as 
the best writcrs in our time,,take it for the rehearsal of the 
promises and thanksgiving to be enjoined ; and whichsoever 
of these two be accepted, seeing I used the words of delivery, 
there was sufficient consecration. . 
-'L. C.J. Let us make an end of it. Charge the jury.— 
The witnesses were then called and sworn, some of whom 
were known papists, and others had done penance for the 
foulest crimes, against whom no exception would be taken; 
and Mr. Johnson being by their verdict found guilty, was 
eondemned (to one year's imprisonment, and immediately 
sent back to the Gatehouse.» 

The hard treatment Mr. Johnson received from Bishop 
Sandys, and the other commissioners, as appears in. the 
above examination; with the heavy sentence pronounced 
upon him, after having endured some close and severe 
imprisonment already, were, surely, more than proportionate 
to any crime with which he was charged, even supposing 
he had. been guilty. Indeed, whether the principal thiag 
with which he was charged was good or evil, was matter of 
mere opinion, and a point much to be disputed. But right 
or wrong, he must be punished. 

During the execution of the heavy sentence, and about 

two weeks after his trial, Mr. Johnson wrote a letter ta 


* Parte of a Register, p. }05—1}1. 


UR. JOHNSON. |. Ist 


Bishop Sandys, dated March 7, 1574, in which he earnestly 
pleads for more kind treatment. He thus observes, © Our’ 
Saviour saith, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain. 
mercy: And the apostle, He shall have judgment without: 
mercy, that hath shewed no mercy. I wonder what mercy: 
you, and the rest of the commissioners, hope tor, and what 
judgment you look for, seeing for trifles ani of no.weight, 
nay of no truth, as I doubt not you are persuaded in your 
own consciences, you not only mock and molest men, de 
prave and deprive them, but to their great poverty and 
utter ruin, and without any bowels of mercy, you condemn 
them to long imprisonment. Where hath God given an 
such commandment ? Where hath Christ given any such 
precedent ? Where did the apostles put any such thing in 
practice? If you say, that we hold errors, are schismatics, 
and promote sects; then do-you the part of a teacher, to 
reform our errors, to reduce schismatics to unity, and te 
dissuade sectaries from dissention. Your office and func- 
tion, your name and title, your degree and profession, your 
knowledge and religion, yea the apostles, Jesus Christ, and 
God himself, requireth this at your hands. You know who 
saith, [fa man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiri- 
tual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness. Compare 
your doctrine in- time past, and your doings now, and se6é 
how they agree. We may say as the prophet said: The 
Lord God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, and ke 
hath delivered them into your hand, and you have persecuted 
them in a rage that reacheth up to heaven. “ 
' $¢Jf to imprison and famish men, be the proper way to 
instruct the ignorant and reduce the obstinate, where is the 
office and work of a shepherd, to seek that which was lost, 
and bring home that which went astray? We beseech you, 
therefore, to gather something out of the Old and. New 
Testament, that you may reduce those who go astray, and 
heal that which is bruised and broken. And I pray you, 
let us feel some of your charitable relief, to preserve us from 
death, under this hard usage; especially as you have been 
the chief cause of my trouble, I desire you to be some part 
of my comfort. Let pity requite spite, and mercy recom- 
ce malice. Thus beseeching God, that you may proceed 
aithfully in all the duties of a bishop, I commend you te 
Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls. 
| «“ RoBeRT JoHNSON.”6 


* -Parte of a Register, p. 117, 118. 


188 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Mr. Johnson, at the same time, presented a petition to: 
the queen or council, desiring to be restored to his former. 
liberty of preaching, from which he was restrained by the. 
foregoing heavy sentence. This petition, together with a. 
Retter from the court, dated Greenwich, March 19, 1573,. 
were sent to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop 
of London, pressing them to take the case into considera- 
tion, and take such order therein as should appear most 
convenient. The council also sent another letter to the. 
Bishop of London, dated Greenwich, May 16, 1574, signi. 
fying that their lordships were given to understand, that, 
Mr. Johnson, committed to the Gatehouse for noncone. 
formity, was very sick and likely to die, unless he might 
enjoy more open air. Therefore they commanded his grace 
to give order for the poor afflicted man to be bailed, and 
upon sureties to be removed to his own house, but not toe 
depart thence without further order.» 
All these efforts were, however, without any good effect,. 
The relentless prelate continued inflexible. Mr. Johnson 
experienced ncither his lenity, nor his charity, nor any other. 
favour : for the good man died soon after, a prisoner in the 
Gatehouse, through the cruelty of his imprisonment, and, 
his extreme poverty and want.t Herein, surely, his inhu-, 
man persecutors would be highly gratified. Bishop Sandys, 
who was at the head of these proceedings, is said to hava 
been “ a man very eminent for his learning, probity, and 
prudence ;”’} but, surely, it may be questioned whether he 
exercised these excellent qualifications on the present occas 
sion. ‘This is even admitted by his partial biographer: for 
he observes, that during the above period, the good bishop 
receeded so vigorously against the puritans, that his doings 
rought public reproach on his name and reputation. 4 
Mr. Johnson wrote a letter, a little before his death, to the 
Dean of Westminster, another zealous promoter of his 
persecution. This letter is still preserved.y Mr. Strype 
charges Mr. Jolinson as a false accuser, and, in 1609, as 
reviling the puritans. But the fact of his being dead several 
years before either of these events are said to haye taken 
place, at once acquits him of the twofold charge. Some 
other person of the same name, who was a rigid churchman, 
- we believe to have been guilty of those crimes.4 


* Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. xxi. p. 383, 384. 
+ Parte of a Register, p. 111, 118. 
i Le Neve’s Lives, vol.i part ii, p. 69. § Ibid. p. $1. 
Parte of a Register, p. 112—116, Z Strype’s Parker, p. 888, 329. 


TAVERNER. . 189 


Ricwarp Taverner, A. M.—This distinguished person 
was bom: at Brisley in Norfolk, in the year 1505, and 
educated first in Bennet college, Cambridge, then in the 
, university of Oxford. The famous Cardinal Wolsey havin 
founded a new collége at the latter place,» furnished it wit 
all the best scholarsin the nation; among whom were 
"Paverner, Tindal, Frith, Geodman, and many others. Here 
Mr. Taverner and his brethren were soon called to the trial 
of their faith. They were’ men of good learning and grave 
judgments, and Mr. Taverner was famous for his knowledge 
of music; but conferring together about the corruptions of 
. ‘the church, they were presently accused to the cardinal, and 
cast into prison. They were confined in a deep cell under 
_ the college, where salt fish was wont to be preserved; so 

that by the filthiness and infection of the place, several ‘of 
them soon lost their lives. Mr. Taverner, however, escaped 
the fatal malady. Though he was accused of hiding one 
Mr. Clark’s books under the boards of his school, the 
cardinal, on account of his music, exempted him, saying, 
‘He is only a musician;” and so he was released.+ He 
had a good knowledge of the Greek language, plilosophy, 
‘and divinity; but about this time he removed or was expélied 
‘from the university, and became a student at the inns of 
court. Here, when he read any thing in the law, he made 
‘his quotations in Greek. In the year 1534, he was taken 
‘under the patronage of Lord Cromwell, principal secretary 
‘to Henry VIII.; by whose recommendation the king after- 
‘wards made him one of the clerks of the signet. This place 
he kept till the accession of Queen Mary, having been held 
in high esteem by King Henry, Edward VI., and the Duke 
‘of Somerset, the lord protector. 
~ In the year 1539, he published “ A Recognition or Cor- 
rection of the Bible after the best Exemplars.” It was 
‘printed in folio, dedicated to the king, and allowed to be 
publicly read in the churches. But upon the fall of Lord 
“Cromwell, in 1540, the bishops causing the: printers of the 
~ Bible in English to be cast into prison and punished, Mr. 
Taverner, as the reward of his labours, was sent to the 


‘- #* Cardinal Wolsey possessed, for some years, all that power and grandest . 
which could be enjoyed by the greatest favourite, and most absolute mi- 
nister, under an arbitrary prince. He exercised as absolute a power in the 
church, as he had done in the state. His abilities were equal to his great 

' ‘offices, but these were by no means equal to his ambition. Hé was the 

‘only man that ever had the ascendancy of Henry VIII., but afterwards fell 

‘into disgraca,—Granger’s Biog. Hist. vol. i. p.92. 

+ Fox’s Martyrs, vol. ii. p. 209, 251. -' 


190 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


_ Tower. Here, however, he did not continue long; for, 
. having fully acquitted himself before his judges, he was 
soon after released, and restored to his place and the king’s 
favour. He was about this time, a member of parliament, 
and held in high esteem by meg of piety and worth. Upon 
King Henry’s coming to the parliament house in 1545, 
and exhorting the members to charity, unity, and concord, 
he published a translation of Erasmus, enti «“ An Intro- 
. duction to Christian concord and unitie in matters of 


' Jn the year 1552, Mr. Taverner, though he was not 
ordained, obtained a special license subscribed by ning 
‘Edward, to preach in any part of his dominions ; and he di 
not fail to make use of the liberty granted him. He preached 
from place to place through the kingdom; also at court 
before the king, and in other public places, wearing a velvet 
Donnet or round cap, a damask gown, and a chain of 
about his neck; in which habit,-he sometimes preached in 
t. Mary’s church, Oxford, in the days of Queen Elizabeth. 
hen Queen Mary came to the crown, he retired to his 
country house called Norbiton-hall, in Surrey, where he 
continued during the whole of her reign. Upon the acces- 
sion of Elizabeth, he presented her majesty with a congra- 
dulatory epistle in Latin, for which she exceedingly respected 
him, placed great confidence in him, and, besides offering 
him the degree of knighthood, put him into the commission 
of peace for the county of Oxford. Here numerous con- 
¢ems were entrusted to him, and, in. 1569, he was made 
high sheriff of the county. Notwithstanding his high 
station, he did not relinquish his ministerial labours, but 
continued preaching as he found opportunity. While he 
was in the office of ‘high sheriff, he appeared in St. Mary’s 
ulpit, with his gold chain about his neck, and his sword 
ty his side, and preached to the scholars, beginning his 
germon with the following words :—“ Arriving at the mopnt 
& of St. Mary’s, in the stony* stage where I now stand, J 
“ have brought you some fine biskets, baked in the oven of 
& charity, and carefully conserved for the chickins of the 
“ church, the sparrows of the spirit, and the sweet swallows 
-# of salvation.”+ This way of preaching was then mostly 
fashionable, and commended by the generality of scholars 


. # Wood says the pulpit of St..Mary’s was then of fine carved stones 
ot it was taken away in 1654, when Dr. John Owen was vice-chancellor, 
and a pulpit of wood set up io its place.—Athene Ozon. vol, i. p.,144. note. 


‘t Fuller’s Charch Hist. b. ix. p. 65. | 


HARVEY. | 79 


in those times. This celebrated reformer and zealous non- 


_ cdnformist to the church of England, laid down his bead 


in peace, July. 14, 1575, aged seventy years. He died at 
his manor-house, at Wood-Eaton, in -Oxfordshire, -and 
his remains were interred with great funeral solemnity, in 
the chancel of the church at that place.* , 


His Worxks.—1. The Sum or Pith of the 150 Psalmes of David, 
teduced into a forme of Prayers and Meditations, with other certaine 
godly Orisons, 1539.—2. Correction of the Bible, already mentioned. 
—3. The Epistles and Gospels, with a brief Postill upon the same, 


- from Advent to Low Sunday, drawn forth by divers learned men for 


the singular commoditie of all good Christian Persons, and namely 
of Priests and Curates, 1540.—4. The Epistles and Gospels, with a 
brief Postill upon the same, from after Easter till Advent, 1540.—5. 
Fruite of Faith, containing all the Prayers of the holy Fathers, 
Patriarks, Prophets, Judges, Kings, renowned Men, and Wamen, im 
the Old and New Testament, 1582.—6. Various Poems in Latin and 
glish, and several Translations of the works of other learned men. 


_'R. Harvey was a zealous and learned minister in the 
‘city of Norwich, a divine of puritanical principles, and 
brought into troubles for his nonconformity. Having 
‘spoken against the pompous titles, and the government of 
bishops, and other ecclesiastical officers, he was summoned, 
May 13, 1576, to appear before his diocesan at Norwich. 
Upon his appearance before his lordship, he was imme- 


diately suspended; when the dean, who pronounced the 
.sentence, behaved himself towards Mr. Harvey, not as a 


judge, buat a most tyrant.+ 

, % Harvey having receved the ecclesiastical censure, and 
Conceiving himself to have been hardly used, wrote a letter to 
the Bishop of Norwich, in which he addressed his lordshi 

with considerable freedom and boldness. The substance 6 

this letter is as follows :—*‘ I am moved in conscience,” says 
‘he, ‘* to address you in this way, that I may give a further 
‘account of my behaviour. I think you may see, if you 
shut not your eyes, how the man of sin, I mean the pope of 
Rome, hath so perverted and corrupted the doctrine of 
Christ, that not one free spot of it now remaineth. In like 
‘manner, touching the discipline and government of the 
church, although our Saviour, who is the only king of his 
‘church, sate in the seat of judgment, with the crown of life 


.@m his head, and the sceptre of righteousness in his hand; 


e Wood's Athenz Oxon. vol. i. p. 148—145. 
+ Strype’s Annals, vol. ii. p. 448, 449,.—Parte of a Register, p. 339. 


192 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


«hat man of sin plucked him from his throne, and placed 
himself upon it, having on his head the mitre of d and 
in his hand the sword of cruelty and blood. These things 
I hope you know. | 

‘¢ We find in the scriptures of truth, that when Christ 
raled and reigned in his church, his officers were bishops or 
pastors, and elders and deacons. But when the pope set 
aside this government, he appointed new governors in the 
church, as cardinals, archbishops, lord-bisho deans, 
chancellors, commissioners, and many others. ‘The doc- 
trine and government of the church being thus thrown 
down, it pleased the Lord in his time to shew us favour. 
By means of our good prince, he hath purged the doctrines 

our church from the errors of popery; and was ready 
to have restored unto us true discipline, if it had not been 
prevented by our own slackness and unthankfulness. But 
you prelates turn the edge of the sword against us, and 
stand in the way to keep us from the tree of life. The 
government of the church is much the same as it was under 
popery. The pope's officers, you know, still bear rule;. . 
and, therefore, ‘the reins of government are not in the 
hands of Christ, but in the hands of anticbrist. And 
though you hide yourselves under the shadow of the prince, 
saying, that she created you and your authority ; you | 
versely attempt to deceive the world, and you miserably abuse 
the name and goodness of our prince. For how long were 
your names and offices in full force before our prince was . 
‘born? How then will you make her authority the origin of 
your jurisdiction ? a, 
_ _ Moreover, as Jesus Christ is the only lawgiver ‘in his 
church, and as he alone has power and authority to appoint 
. its officers, if any king or prince in the world appoint.an 
other officers in the church, than those which Christ 
already allowed and appointed, we will lay down our necks 
‘upon the block, rather than consent to them. Wherefore, 
do not so often object to us the name of our prince; for yor 
use it as a cloak to cover your cursed entcrprizes. Have 
_you not thrust out those who preached the word of God 
_sincerely’and faithfully? Have you not plucked out those 
preachers whom God fixed in his church? And do you 
‘think that this plea, I did but execute the law, will excuse . 
you before the High Judge.”* It does not appear what 
effect this bold address had on the mind of the reverend 


* Parte of a Register, p. 365—S870.- = 6S 


DEERING. | 193 


prelate; nor. whether - the good man ever procured his 
restoration. __ oo 
' _ Mr. Harvey appears to have written ‘‘ A ‘Treatise of the 
Church and Kingdom of Christ,” a copy of which is still 
reserved, though.most probably it-was never published. 
he Oxford historian gives'a very curious account of one Mr. 
Richard Harvey, who lived about the same time, but he does 
not appear to have been the same person.t One Mr. Richard, 
Harvey of Pembroke-hall, Cambridge, took his degrees in. 
Arts in 158l.and 1585.. This was probably the same person’ 
as that last mentioned.¢ . 


aA . 


~Epwarp Detrinc, B. D.—This learned and distin- 
guished puritan was descended froma very ancient and 
worthy family at Surrenden-Dering, in Kent; and having 
been carefully brought up in religion, and the rudiments of 
sound learning, completed his education in Christ’s college, 
vambridge. Here he made amazing progress in valuable 
knowledge, and became.an eminently popular preacher. He 
was. fellow of the house, was chosen proctor in 1566, and 
Lady Margaret’s preacher the year following.; This, in- 
deed, was not sufficient to protect him from the fury and 
persecution of the prelates. | | 
. In the year 157], being cited béfore Archbishop Parker. 
. and other commissioners, he was charged with certain 
assertions, which, it is said, he maintained and subscribed 
before them. These assertions were the following: ‘‘ That 
breaking the laws of civil government is, in its own nature, 
no .sin, but only on: account of scandal_—That Christ’s 
descent into hell relates only to the force and efficacy of his 
passion ; but that neither his body, nor his soul, went to 
that :place.—That it is lawful to take oaths; when the forms 
pre written or printed, to determine the sense of the imposer ; 
t to make use of the book, as a circumstance of solemnity, : 
is a sacrilegious addition.—That the clerical garments 
which are derived from popery, are full of offence, and 
appear to me directly against. the truth.”} . It does not 
‘appear, however, what punishment was inflicted upon him 


for these assertions. 


-, ® ME. Register, p. 588—554. 
+ -Wood’s Athen Oxon: vol. i. p.178, 174. 
Baker's MS. Collec. vol. ii. p. 381... : ae 
M8. Chronology, vol. i. p. 262. (2.) 
§ Strype’s Parker, p. $26.—Baker’s MS..Cojlec. vol. xxxvi. p. 83T. 
VOL, I. 0 - 


194 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Mr. Deering was domestic chaplain to the unfortunate 
Duke of Norfolk, (who, in the above year, lost his head on 
Tower-hill,) and was tutor to his children. In this situation, 
he conducted himself with t propriety, and much 
to the satisfaction of his noble patron.« the duke 
was imprisoned for his treasonable connections with the 
Queen of Scots, Mr. Deering thus addressed him: “ You 
once earnestly professed the Bose but now dissimulatiou, 
ambition, an hypocrisy hath bewitched you. You know 
how many times I dissuaded you from your wicked 
your popish friends, and your adulterous woman. Alas‘ 
my lord, your high calling hath so bridled my words, that 
I could not speak to you as] would: my words were too 
soft to heal so old a disease.”’+ 

In the year 1572, he became lecturer at St. Paul's, 
London ; where, on account of his great learning, ready 
utterance, and uncommon bol he was ing?) 
followed. This being grievous to certain ecclesiastical 
persons, it was deemed most proper to silence him. This 
was accordingly dane the very next year. Our historian 
intimates, that he was a great enemy to the order of bishops. 
This was, indeed, the case with most of the puritans. They 

erally looked upon the episcopal office, as appointed in 
church, to be equally a popish invention, con 
to its original design, according to the New Testament. He 
further informs us, that Mr. Deering was intimately ae- 
quainted with the Lord Treasurer Burleigh, with whom he 
often interceded, in behalf of the suffering nonconformists.} _ 

While he was lecturer of St. Paul’s, he was charged with 
having spoken certain things, which, by interpretation, were 
said to reflect upon the magistrate, and tend to break the 
peace of the church. Therefore, by an order from the 
council, his lecture was put down. Persons were appointed 
to watch him continually, to take advantage of what he 
delivered ; and when he was brought under examination for 
delivering certain things offensive to the ruling powers, he 
utterly denied that he had said any such thing, and declared 
that the charges were mere slanders. Indeed, upon his 
appearance before the attorney-general and the bishop 
London, the bishop frankly acknowledged that he coald 
not accuse him.§ What a pity then was it, that so excel- 
lent a preacher as he is denominated, who had so largé & 
_ © Strype’s Annals, vol. il. p. 190, | 

+ M8. Chronology, vol. i. .p. 24%. (2.) - . 

$ Strype’s Annals, vol. il. p. 190. § Ibid. p. 2600, 


8, 


DEERING. 195 


congregation, and when such preachers were much wanted, 
should be put to silence! 

In September this year, he wrote to the treasurer, request- 
ing that he might no more appear before the council, but 
be judged by the bishops themselves, at any time and place 
they should appoint. In order to the restoration of his 
lecture, he requested that judgment might not be deferred ; 
that he might be charged with some impropriety, either in 
his words or actions; and that upon the knowledge of 
which, his honour might himself be able to ‘judge what he 
deserved. He besceched his lordship to inquire into his 
character, and examine his actions, till he could find onl 
two persons who had heard him evil: but if suc 
evidence of his ill behaviour could not be obtained, he 
intreated him to become his friend. He urged further, that 
his lordship would either believe his own judgment, having 
_ himself sometimes heard him, or the report of multitudes, 

who were his constant hearers. And if his lecture might 
not be restored, as he was persuaded it was his duty to seek 
the good of souls, he eamestly prayed that he might have 
liberty to preach in some other place. | 

Though the treasurer was undoubtedly willing and de- 
sirous to serve him, he ebtained no redress ; but was cited 
to appear before the court of the star-chamber, when several 
articles were exhibited against him. But before his ap 
ance to answer these articles, he wrote a long letter to 
Burleigh, dated November 1, 1573, in which he ad 
him with great spirit and freedom, concerning his own case, 
and several important points of controversy. This letter 
was as follows : 

<< Grace and peace from God the Father, &c. . 

‘¢ Bear with me, I beseech your honour, though I trouble 
& you; and let the cause of my grief be the discharge of my 
©‘ boldness. It behoveth me to discharge myself from 
¢¢ slander, lest the gospel should be reproached in me. And 
*¢it behoveth you to obey this commandment, fecetve no 
“ accusation against a preacher without good and sufficient 
‘¢ witness. I know, my lord, you will not do it. I have 
6s good evidence of your equity in this behalf. Yet I am 
¢ bold to put you in mind of the word of Christ, which you 
* cannot possibly too often remember. I ask no more than 
¢¢ what is due to me, eyen from her majesty’s seat of i- 
s¢ ment and justice. If I have done evil, let me be punished + 
«¢ if not, let me be eased of undeserved blame. I crave no 
“ partiality, but seek to answer, ‘and to make you(including 


196 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


“ the other lords of the council) judges of my cause; before 
‘«¢ whose presence I ought to fear, and the steps of whose 
“feet I humbly reverence. If, before your -honours, I 
« should be convinced of these pretended crimes, with what 
“ shame should I hide my face all the days of -my life!. 
&¢ Where were the rejoicing that I have in God, in all things 
“that he bath wrought by me? Where were theit comfort, 
« who have so desirously heard me ? Where were the good. 
‘ opinion of many, and all the good-will you have. shewed 
“me? I am notso ignorant, that I see not this. Therefore 
6¢ persuade yourself, that J am on sure ground. Trial shall: 
teach your eyes and ears the truth. And to persuade your 
‘¢ heart, I give unto you my faith, I cannot accuse myself 
‘¢ of any thought of my mind, in which I have not honoured 
“‘ the magistrate, or word of my mouth, in which I have not 
¢ regarded the peace of the church. And I thank God, 
«“ who of his unspeakable mercy, hath kept for me this con-. 
§¢ science against the day of trouble. 
“Tf you muse now, how these slanders have risen, you 
may easily know, that the malice of satan is great against 
“the ministry of the gospel. . | know I have given no 
‘“‘ cause, more than I have confessed ; and with what words 
s¢ J have spoken, I desire to be judged by the hearers.. And 
§ so much the more bold I now speak to you, because my — 
“lord of London, of late told me, before Mr. Attorney 
and Mr. Solicitor, that he could not accuse me of an 
¢ such thing. As I was glad to hear this discharge, so-I 
¢* should have been much more glad, if, upon so free a cone - 
S¢ fession, .he would favourably have restored me. to my 
“lecture. ‘Thongh it be somewhat strange to punish 
“man before he offend, lest: hereafter he should offend; yet 
‘¢J am contented with it, and leave it unto them, who 
S should. be as much grieved.as myself to see so great a con: 
6 grogation dispersed.” , | | a 
. Mr..Deering next proceeds to prove the lordship and 
civil government of bishops to be unlawful, and contrary tp 
. scripture. ‘‘ The lordship and civil government of bishops, 
says he, “is utterly unlawful. The kingdom of Christ is 
“a spiritual government only. But the government of the 
“ church is a part of the kingdom of Christ. Therefare, 
“the .government of the church is only a spirttwal govern: 
ment. What the kin of Christ is,- and what 
‘* government he hath established in-it, learn not of. mie, hut 
‘¢ of God himself. What can be plainer than the. words of 
« Christ? My kingdom is not of this world? How plainly 


‘DEERING, (5:0 197 


“doth St. Paul say, The weapons of our warfare are not 
‘carnal ? Let him, therefore; who is the King of kings, 
“ have the pre-eminence of government. - And let him, 
“¢ whose dominion is the kingdom of heaven, have the sword 
“ and the sceptre that is not fleshly. Let not & vile pope, in 
‘the name of Christ, erect a new kingdom, which Christ 
*‘never knew: a kingdom of this workl, which, in thé 
_§ ministry of the gospel, he hath condemned. This kind of 
“ rule hath set all out of order, and in confusion, mingled 
“6 heaven and earth together.—As the minister hath nothing 
“to do with the temporal sword, so it much less becometk 
¢ him to be called lord. The reason is plain from scripture. 
‘¢ Ministers are called fishers of men, labourers in the harvest, 
*¢ callers to the marriage, servants of the people, workmen, 
_ & stewards, builders, planters, &c. Inall of which, they are 
“‘ removed from’ a lordship over the people. And ‘again, 
“they are called fellow-elders, ‘fellow-helpers, fellow- 
“ workmen, fellow-soldiers, fellow-servants, fellow-travel- 
© Jers,‘&c. In which names, they are forbidden lordship 
¢ over their brethren. And, surely, it must be great rashness 
~ © to refuse so many names, which God hath given us, and” 
’ © take another, which importeth dominion over others. Can 
. “ we doubt then in the question of lordship 2 We appeal to 
“¢ Christ, and the words of his mouth, to decide the contro- 
“‘ versy. The disciples had this contention, as well as 
' © ourselves. They strove much, who should be highest ; 
- © against which strife, our Saviour Christ pronounceth this 
— © sentence, He that ts greatest among you, let him be as the 
“< feast. And whosoever of you will be the chief, shall be 
“ seroant of all. This ig a brief account of the superiority 
' in the ministry. And this shall for ever determine ‘the 
‘¢ controversy, though all the wisdom in the world reply.to 
‘the contrary. If a lord bishop find his titles given him 
‘¢ here, let him rejoice in his portion. if he have-them not 
‘¢ hence, he shall not have them from us: we will not-so 
© dishonour him who hath given the sentence.” 
Afterwards, speaking of bishops in the primitive church, 
- anid those in modern times, he makes the following distinc- 
- tions: “ The bishops and ministers then, were one in degree: 
_ © now they are: divers.—There were many bishops in one 
' $¢'town: now there is but one in a whole country.—No 
s¢ bishop’s authority was more than in one city: now it isin — 
“ many shires.—The bishops then used no bodily unish« 
‘ments: now they imprison, fine, &c.—Those bishops 
< could not excommunicate, nor absolve, of their own 


is LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


“ authority: now. they may.—Then, without consent, they 
“could make no ministers: now they do.—They could 
“ confirm no children in other parishes: they do now in 
“ many shirés.— Then they had no living of the church, but 
‘only in one congregation: now they have.—Then they 
6 had. neither officials, nor commissaries, nor chancellors, 
“ under them.—Theu they dealt in no civil gavernment, by 
“ any established authority.—Then they had no right in 
“ alienating any parsonage, to give it in lease.—Then they 
“¢ had the church where they served the cure, even as those 
<6 whom we now call parish ministers.” —This bold and excel- 
lent letter contains many other interesting particulars, too 
numerous for our insertion.» Upon the appearance of Mr. 
Deering in the star-chamber, the following charges were 
brought against him: ‘ That he had spoken \ against god- 
fathers and godmothers.—That he asserted that the 
statute of providing for the poor was not to the 
object.—That he had said, he could provide for them in a 
better way, by committing them to be kept by the rich.— 
That, at a public dinner, he took off his cap, and said, 
‘Now I will prophesy, Matthew Parker is the last arch- 
bishop that shall ever sit in that seat :’ and that Mr. Cart. 
ight said, Accipio omen.” 

o acquit himself of these charges, he presented an 
address, November 28th, to the lords of the council, who 
constituted the above court. In this address, he proves his 
innocence, and- establishes his own reputation. He sa 
here, “ Against godfathers and godmothers, save only the 
name, | spake nothing.—That I said the statute of provision 
for the poor was not competent to the object, or any such 
wards, I utterly deny : | commended the statute.—That I 
said | could provide for the poor, I utterly deny, as words 
which | never spake, and thoughts which were never yet in 
my heart. And if I had spoken any such thing,. had 
. spoken wickedly, and accordingly deserved punishment. 

id thus much I profess and before the seat of 
justice, where J dare not lie.—In the last place, I am charged 
with taking off my cap, and saying, ‘ Now I will prapheay, 
Matthew | Ker is the last att ed that shall ever. aN 

t seat: an t Mr. Cartwright Accipio omen.’ 
this I answer, that I have confessed what J said; and here J 
send it, witnessed by the hands of those wha heard it, § 
put off no cap, nor spake of any prophesy.”’+ 
' # Strype’s Annals, vol. ii. p. 210—279, 

+ Thid. Appeadiz,p.55—-58 = 


DEERING. 199 


-‘ However before Mr. Deering could be restored to his 
beloved ministerial work, the bishop or the archbishop 
required him to acknow! arladge the Boo io he four 

llowing articles :—* 1. owl e of Arti 
agreed upon by the clergy in the Synod of 1563, ant om 
firmed by the queen’s majesty, to be sound, and according 
to the word of God.” 

In reply to this, he excepted against the article of the 
¢onsecration of bishops and archbishops, as contained in 
the said book. ‘To what p »” says he, “is this 
article put in? What reason is there to make all subscribe 
unto it? Who dare make so bold an addition to the word 
ef God, as to warrant these consecrations to be tied unto it 2 
Let him allow of it, who hath the profit of it: and he that 
liketh it not, let him have no bishopric. I would, therefore, 
gia, make this exception. , the article touching 

mnilies, to which, because they are made by man, I dare 
not give my absolute warrant, that they are, in all thi 
according to the word of God. And when I set my han 
unto it, I must needs avow that which I know not. I would, 
therefore, make this addition, As far as I know.” 

“2. That the queen’s majesty is the chief governor, next 
under Christ, of the church of England, as well in eccle- 
siastical, as civil causes.””—‘ The second article,” says he, 
s¢ I freely acknowledge.” 

“3, That in the Book of Common Prayer, there is 
nothing evil, or repugnant to the word of ; but that 
it may be well in this our church of England.” 

: To this he excepts, ‘‘ That in the book, there are man 

‘phrases and hard speeches, which require a favourable 
exposition. ‘There are many things, t ough well meant, 
when first appointed, which were certainly ill devised, 
being first by papists. And, therefore, being still kept 
in the Prayer Book, are offensive.—That day in which 

is no communion, certain prayers are to be said 

the offertory. What this offertory is, and what it meaneth 
J cannot tell. And to account our prayers as offertories, 

dare not warrant that it is according to the word of God.— 
Jn this book, we are commonly called by the name of 
priests; which name, besides importing a popish sacrificer, 
and so is sacrilegious, cannot possibly be given to us, and to 
our Saviour also.—On Christmas-day, we say, ‘ Thou hast 
given us thy Son this day, to be bom of a virgin. The 
game words we use all week after, as if Christ had 
been bom anew every day in the week. If it be said, this 


200 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. . 


és but a trifle, the more loath I am to subscribe, that’ it is 
according to the word of God.—In one of the prayers, we 
say, ‘ Grant us that, which, for our unworthiness, we dare 
not ask.’ These words cannot be excused. They fight 
‘directly against our faith. We must come boldly to the 
throne of grace, and doubt not. of obtaining ‘mercy, in 
whatever God has promised. These and such other things, 
thus standing in: the prayer book, make many fearful of 
subscribing» that ecery part of it is according to the word 
oO ” ‘ . . - On 
' 664, That, as the public preaching of the word, in the 
church of England, is sound and sincere; so the public 
order, in the ministration of the sacraments, is consonant to 
the word of God.” Ot 
Upon this he observes, “ How can I tell, that all preach- 
ing in England is sound and sincere, when I hear not all 
preachers? And sometimes those whom I do- hear, preach 
neither soundly, nor sincerely : but this is the fault of man. 
—And that the public order, in the ministration of the 
sacraments, is according to God’s word, I cannot simpl 
confess. There is an order how women may baptize. All 
reformed churches have condemned this, and how can I 
allow it? All learned men write against the questions 
and crossings in baptism; and why should I, with my 
hand, ‘condemn all their doings? The wafer cake in 
many churches, is thought intolerable ; and our.own act 
of parliament for avoiding superstition, hath appointed 
other bread: what then if Y should dislike it ? os 
«¢ Another reason why I cannot subscribe both to -this 
article and the first, is the one.contradicting the other. In 
the first I must subscribe to all the homilies: in this, to‘all 
‘the ceremonies; and yet our homilies condemn many of our 
‘ceremonies. In the homilies it is:said, ‘ That the costly and 
‘manifold furnitare of vestments lately used in the church, 
is Jewish, and maketh us the more willingly, in such. 
apparel to become Jewish.’ If-I subscribe to this, how tan 
T subscribe to the ceremonies used in cathedral churches, 
where the priests, deacon, and subdeacon, are in copes and 
yestments? In the homilies, it is said, ‘ That piping, 
singing, chanting, playing on organs,.&c. greatly displease 
‘God, and filthily defile his holy temple.’ .If I .must sub- 
 ecribe to this, then I must not subscribe to the contrary,-even 
_ that all our ceremonies are good, and acording to the word. 
of How can I say, that our doctrine; our sacranients, 
our prayers, our ceremonies, our orders, eyen that all is 


its HDBERING. ©... 801. 


‘ according to ‘the word of God? A person having a coh- 
“science, or no conscience, must needs be tried here: and 
blessed: is he ihat is-nat offended. See, F beseech you, what 
' wrong I sustain, if 1 be urged to this subscription. While 
any law bound me to wear the cap and surplice, I wore both. 
hén I was at liberty, surely I would not wear them for 
~ devotion. I never persuaded any to refuse them, nor am F 
' charged with ever preaching against them. Thus, accord- 
‘ ing to my promise, I have set down how far I would yield 
in these articles which your worship sent me. If I seem 
curious, or to stand upon little points, conscience, it should 
be remembered, is very tender, and will not yield contrary 
to its persuasion of the-truth, I have sent you these articles, 
' subscribed with mine own hand, and sealed with my heart; 
even in the presence of God ; whom I humbly beseech, for - 
' Christ’s sake, to giye peace unto his church, that her 
- Ministers may rejoice, and her-subjects be glad. j conclude, 
desiring God to make. you rich in all grace, to. his honour 
~ and glory. December 16, 1573.”* Here we see the evil 
of requiring subscription to articles and creeds of - human 
composition. To yield in such a case as this, would rack 
the conscience of every honest man. re 
Twenty other articles were, about the same time, presented 
to Mr. Deering im the star-chamber; to each of which, he 
gave a particular answer. . ‘hese articles were designed, 
says Mr. Strype, to make exact inquiry into his principles 
and opinions, concerning the church, its usages, practices; 
and clergy, and the queen’s authority ; and he might, with 
truth, have added, that it assumed all the appearance of a 
tyrannical: and : cruel inquisition. Mr. Deering, ‘in the 
preface to his answers to these articles, thus expressed him- 
self :—** I most humbly beseech your honours, to remember 
my former protestation, that I have never spoken against 
the book .of prayers; and in my book in print, I have 
spoken openly for the allowance of it. I resort to common 
‘prayers ; dnd sometimes, being requested, 1 say the prayers 
Ss prescribed. If I be now urged to speak what I think, as 
_ ‘before an inquisition, there being no law of God requiring, 
ame- to accuse - myself, I beseech yeur honours, let my 
“answer witness my humble duty and obedience, rather than 
‘be: prejudicial and huriful to me. This I most bhumbl 
crave; and under the persuasion of your favour, I wi 
answer boldly, as I am required.” These articles, which so 


© Parte of a Register, p. 81—85. 


302 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


munch discover the spirit of the times, and the answers which 
Mr. Deering presented to the court, though at some , 

we here present to the curious and inquisitive reader. Lbey 
were the following : 3 

Article 1. Is the book entitled “ The Book of Commen 
Service,” allowed by public authority in this realm, to be 
allowed in the church of God, by God’s word, or not? 

_ Answer. The similitude of this book, to that form of 
rayer used by the papists, leads me to think it declineth 
ed those laws, Deut. vii. 25., xii. 30., xviii. 9. Also, ils 
great inconvenience in encouraging unlearned and indolent 
ministers to conclude, that the mere reading of the seryice 
is sufficient. These are some of the reasons why I cannot 
subscribe, that all the book is allowable by the word of 
God. Some other things, the bishops themselves confess to 
2 Are the articles set down by the clergy in Synod, 
and allowed by public authority, according to God’s word, 
or not? , 
” | confess, as I am persuaded, that the articles of faith axe 
good. [I think the same of the articles about traditions, an 
oath before a judge, the civil magistrate, the doctrine of the 
homilies, &c. But that which relates to the consecration of 
archbishops and bishops, I can by no means confess as 
godly, and according to the word of God. 
_ 3. Are we tied in all things, by God’s word, to the 
order and usage of the apostles and primitive church, 
or not ? 

No doubt we are bound to whatsoever was the usual order 
of the a es. When St. Paul had said ta Timothy, 
“Thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life 
P »” &c. &c. he adds, continue in the things. whi 
thou hast learned. And he chargeth the Philippians, 
Those things which ye have both learned and received, and 
Reard and seen in me, do. | 
_ 4. Is there any right ministry, or ecclesiastical govern- 
‘went, at this time, in the church of England, or not? _. 

If, by right, you mean such a calling as the word of God 
requireth : as, | ‘Tim. iii. 2., Acts i. 23., xiv. 23,. 1 Tim. iv. 
14., I am sure you will confess it is not right. If you 
mean a right ministration of the doctrine and sacraments, J 
liumbly confess, that no man ought to separate himgelf 
from the church. Concerning govcrnment, see the seventh 
article. : 

5. May nothing be in the church, either concerning cere 


DEERING, 308 


monies, or government, but that only which the Lord ix 
his word, commandeth ? | 
* Sach ceremonies as do not necessarily appertain to thes 
1 of Christ, may be changed; observing alwa 
eich St. Paul hath commanded, Phil. iv. 8., 1 Cor. my. 26. 
_ -6,, Ought every particular church or parish in England, 
of necessity, and by the order of God's word, to have its 
awn pastor, elder, and deacons, chosen by the people of 
that parish; and they only to have the whole government of 
that particular church, in matters ecclesiastical ? | 
herever this government hath been, the choice hath 
been by certain persons, with the allowance of the people, 
so far as I ever read. But what is most requisite at the 
present time, I leave to those whom God hath aet in 
authority. | 

7. Should there be an equality among all the ministers of 
this realm, as well in government and jurisdiction, as in the 
ministration of the word and sacraments ? , 

That all ministers are called to the preaching of the 
word, and the ministration of the sacraments, no man, I 
think, will deny. Touching government or governors, the 
Holy Ghost calleth them fellow-ministers, fellow-elders, 
fellow-officers, fellow-soldiers, fellow-labourers, fellow-sere 
-vants : and St. Peter expressly forbids them being /ords over 
God's heritage. St. John evidently condemneth the lordly 
dominion of Diotrephes, in commanding and excommuni- 
cating by his own authority. Our Lord himself, refused.to 
exercise any lordly dominion; and when his disciples 
stroye for superiority, he expressly forbad them, and 
xeproved them for aspiring after it. Though ministers are 
worthy of double honour, singular love, great reverence, 
and all humble duty, I dare, by no means, make them dords 
ja the ministry, nor give to any one of them authority 
“above the rest. 

8. Are the patrimonies of the church, such as bishops’ 
lands, the lands belonging to cathedral churches, the glebe 
lands, and tithes, by right, and God’s word, to be taken 
from them ? 

Render unto Caesar, the things which are Cesar’s ;. and 
sento God, the things that are God’s, is a rule always 
binding. Every prince who feareth the King of kings, 
must make cient provision for the ministry, then for 
the poor, then for schools and the uniyersities, in such a 
degree as may supply the wants of the ministry; with- 


204 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
out which the spoil of the church is most’ unnatural 


sacrilege. 

. 9. Are the ministers of this realm, of whatsoever calling, 
now in place, lawful ministers; and their administration, 
and ecclesiastical] actions, lawful and effectual? ; 

This article, so far as I can see, is the same as the 
fourth. 

10. Is it dot convenient at a marriage, to have the com- 
munion, andthe newly married persons to communicate ; 
and, at a funeral, to have a sermon ? 

I would have communions at such times as the church 
appoints. On those days, if there be a marriage, it is 
meet that the partics communicate. As to the funeral 
sermons, they may be used. Yet, if there be any tncon- 
_ Nenience, by hurting or offending the church, they ought 
to be omitted. 

11. Is it lawful for any man to preach, besides he who ts 
a pastor; and may a pastor preach out of his own flock 
without a license ? 

None may preach but a pastor, and he, on just occasion, 
being requested, may preach out of his own flock. But, 
surely, if he have no license to preach, he hath no license 
to be a pastor. , oe 

12. Is it better and more agreeable to God's word, and 
more for the profit of God’s church, that a prescribed order 
of common prayer be used, or that every minister pray 
publicly, as his own spirit shall direct him ? 
_ An ordinary prayer is very necessary, that it may be 

familiar to the people: but, as every parish will have its 
occasions and necessities, so it is necessary, that the 
. minister be able to pray in the congregation, according to 

the necessities of the people. oo 

13. Are the children of parents, who are perfect papists, 
to be baptized? And are infants within God's covenant, 
and have they faith? .— | se 
If parents are obstinate, and perfect papists, wanting 
nothing of the spiritual wickedness of antichrist, and are so 
accounted by the church, their children are not to be 
admitted to this sacrament, though we exclude them not 
from the election of God : but if the parents be not cast:out 
of the church, we may admit the children; yet not as 
. having that faith which cometh by hearing, but as being 
. ‘within the covenant: I am their God, and the God of their 
hildyen. _ a ee 


_ DEERING. |, - 205 


14. May. any ecclesiastical persons have more -eccle- 
siastical livings than one?* : 7 
_ For one man to have many parsonages, where he cannot 
possibly reside, is great wickedness. And seeing Christ hath: 
purchased his.church with his own blood, whosoever enjoys 
several livings, considers very little the words of St. Paul: 
Take heed unto all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost 
hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God. 1, 
therefore, humbly beseech your honours, to have this care- 
fully reformed. - oS | ro, 
"15. May one be a minister, who has no particular flock 
assigned him? And may an ecclesiastical person be exer’ 
cised, also, in a ctvil.function ? ot 
A minister can no more be without a charge, than a king 
without a kingdom. No man that warreth entangleth him- 
self with the affairs of this dpe. And I am sure whatsoever 
person seeketh after civil offices, wanteth that love which 
should most abound. Our Saviour refused to be judge ir 
the division of lands. Yet 1 judge not him, who, on 
special occasions, seeketh to do good to others. | 
_ 16. Are all the commandments of God needful for sal- 
vation ? : : - : 
. All the commandments are- necessary for all men in 
places, and are ever to be observed. And as Christ was 
minister, not of earthly things, but heavenly; so the 
observance of all his commandments is necessary to. salya« 
tion; and the breach of the least of them, if imputed to 
us, hath the just recompence of eternal death. yl 
_. 17. Has the Queen of England authority over the 

cresiastical state, and in ecclesiastical matters, as. well as 
~ civil? | eo 

Let every soul be subject to the higher powers, whether. 
le be an apostle, or evangelist, or prophet, or whatsoever he 
be. This subjection is not against his calling. Princes 
have full authority over all ecclesiastical and civil persons, 
and equally over both, to punish offenders, and to praise 
well-doers. Only this is the difference in the sovereignty 
over both. . The commonwealth cannot be without : the 
magistrate; but if all magistrates fall-from the church, ‘we 
must still hold this article, “ I believe in the ‘catholic 
church.” For Christ, and not the christian magistrate, is 
the life and head of the church. In the commonwealth, 

® What could the commissioners design by proposing this question? Did 


they imagine it-wasa crime to speak against pluralities, the great plague of 
the christian church, and at which even papists blash? mo, 


206 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


the prince maketh and repealeth laws, as appeats most for 
the safety of the state, and the benefit of the people; but m_ 
the church, there is only one Lawaiver, even JEsus 
Cunisr. 

18. Is the Queen of England the chief governor under 
Christ, over the whole church and state ecclesiastical in this 
realm, or but a member of it? And may the church of 

d be established without the magistrate ? 

his is answered under the seventeenth article. 

jodie is ihe Queen of and bound to sear the 

ici ws O in the ishment an on 
criminal offences ? = a 

We are sure that the law of Moses, was, to the people of 

an absolute and a most perfect rule of justice; so 

that all laws ought to be made according to its equity. Yet, 

to decide on all particular cases, dare I not. It belongeth 
to the Lord to say, I will pardon, or I will destroy. 

20. May the Queen of England, of herself, and by her 
own authority, assign and appoint civil officers? 

I never knew a man who doubted this article. And sure I 
“ms, that her majesty, in her wisdom, may do as she thinketh 


These were the articles proposed to Mr. Deering in the 
star-chamber, and this was the substance of those answers 
which he presented to the court in writing. In these 
answers, sa r. Strype, he e very tll reflections u 
the reformation and religion of the” established church. 
Whether this remark be consistent with christian liberality, 
or even common justice, every reader will easily judge. W hat 
could be the design of the commissioners in proposing such 
inquiries ? Some of them relating wholly to matters of state, 
seem designed to ensnare him. Others were evidently 
intended to draw him either to approve, or to censure, the 
corruptions of the church. And in general, it is extremely 
manifest, that they were put to him, to rack his conscience, 
and to get something out of him; to make him an offender 
by his own confession. ‘ For my part,” says Mr. Peirce, 
66 when I consider the abominable tyranny of all such pro- 
ceedings, and the barbarous wickedness of sifting the secrets 
of mens’ hearts, about those matters, of which perhaps they 
hever spoke any thing in their lives; I heartily bless 
God that he did not cast my lot in those days, but reserved 
me for times of greater equity and freedom,”} 

® Parte of a Register, p. 13—60.— Surype’s Annals, vol. ii. p. 280, 281. 

+ Strype’s Parker, p, 452. t Peirce’s Vindication, part |. p. SI. 


DEERING. | 207 

During Mr. Deering’s ion, the Bishop of London, 
out of good nature, it is said, interceded with the treasurer, 
to procure the consent of the council for his liberty to preach 
again at St. Paul’s; upon these conditions, that he taught 
sound docirine, exhorted to virtue, dissuaded from vice, and 
meddled not with matters of order and policy, but left them 
to the magistrate: and, he said, he believed Mr. Deering 
would be brought so todo. He thought these gentle deal- 
ings the best, for the present, and would quiet the minds of 
the people. He thought a soft plaster, in such a case, much 
better than a corrosive. But the treasurer, we are informed, 
disliked the advice, and sharply reproved the bishop for 
giving it. At length, however, he prevailed ; Mr. 
ring’s suspension taken off, and, notwithstanding his 
puritanical answers to the above articles, procured his resto- 
ration to his lecture.* | 
The lords of the council having restored him to his 
beloved work of preaching, the archbishop and several of 
the bishops were much offended. Dr. Cox, bishop of Ely, 
wrote a warm letter to the treasurer, signifyi is great 
disapprobation of the conduct of the council in restoring 
him, even as a man sound in the faith, and by their owa 
authority, without consulting spiritual men, whose business 
it was to determine in such cases: and that they ought not 
to have determined a matter relating to religion without the 
assistance of those who belonged to the ecclesiastical func- 
tion. Mr. Deering was, indeed, restored in consequence of 
the answers he gave to the articles, which articles, it seems, 
were collected out of Mr. Cartwright’s book against Whit- 
gift. Though Bishop Cox said his answers were fond and 
sentrue, the lords of the council thought otherwise, and were 
satisfied with them. The bishop urged, that in these mat- 
ters they ought to have consulted the judgment of learned 
divines, adding, “In all godly assemblies, priests hayé 
usually been called, as in parliaments and privy councils.” 
And in the warmth of his zeal, he seemed inclined to move 
the queen’s majesty to oppose and recall the decree of the 
council: but he tru that the treasurer would, in his 
wisdom and godly zeal, undertake to do it himself.+ Our 
‘author further adds, that when Mr. Deering and three of his 
brethren were first cited into the star-chamber, the Bishop of 
London remained silent, for which the queen afterwards 

bitterly rebuked him.t 
* Strype’s Parker, p. 426. + Ibid. p. 426, 497. 
¢ Queen Elizabeth was a lady of a proud and imperious spirit; and 


208 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Although Mr. Deering was again allowed to preach, his 
troubles were not ended. The Bishop of London, by whose 
influence he had been restored, appeared svon to. repent of 
what he had done. When he waited. upon the bishop, 
informing him that the council, by their letters, had restored 
him to his lecture, his grace said he would see the letters, | 
or he should not preach, and added, ‘* That unless he 
preached more soberly and discreetly than before, he would 
‘silence him again.” Mr. Deering replied, ‘“‘ If you do 
forbid me, I think I shall obey.” His obedience was, . 
indeed, soon brought to the test; for the bishép silenced 
him presently after. He brought complaints against him in 
the star-chamber, and urged the treasurer to procure an 
order from the queen to put down his lecture. He wrote 
also to the Earl of Leicester, signifying how much he disliked 
Mr. Deering’s continuance. This was going the right way’ 
to work,-and he was sure of success. Accordingly, the 
business was brought before her majesty, who commanded 
him to be silenced ; and a warrant being sent to the bishop. 
for this purpose, he was again suspended.* . 

In the year 1574, the famous Dr. Thomas Sampson being 
laden with old age and infirmities, was desirous of Mr, 
Deering succeeding him in his lecture at Whittington- 
college, London, for which there was a stipend of ten pounds 
ayear. The company of cloth-workers had the power of 
nomination, and the archbishop had the allowance. Dr. 
‘Sampson had no doubt of the company’s approbation, but 
doubted the: favour of the archbishop. And, indeed, his 

.doubts were not without foundation; for his grace i 

moved to allow of Mr. Deering, in case he should be nomi- 
nated by the company, he utterly refused. Dr. Sampson, 
however, wrote to Burleigh, the treasurer, earnestly intreat- 
ing him, in this case, to use his influence with the archbishop. 
In this letter, he observed, that though the archbishop did 
not himself like to take pains in the congregation, he should 


usnally carried things with a very high hand, expecting all to bow to her 
‘will and pleasure. This arbitrary temper she exercised over her Own 
elergy, as well as others. Dr. Nowell, dean of St, Paal’s, and one of the 
queen’s chaplains, having spoken less reverently of the sign of the cross, in 
@ sermon preached before her majesty, she called aloud to him fram her 
‘eloset window, commanding him to retire from that ungodly digression, and 
return to his text.—On another occasion, Elizabeth and the Earl of Essex 
pot exactly agreeing ina point of political pradence, this sovereign ny 
‘was so exceedingly provoked, that she gave him a box on the ear, and bi 
him “‘ go and be hanged.” —Heylin’s Hist. of Refor. p. 194. Edit. 1610.— 
Rapin’s Hist. vol. ii. p. 149. . 

® Marype’s Parker, p. 428, | 


.. DEERING. ~~ 909 


not brinder or.forbid others, who were both able and willing, 
He could say of Mr. Deering, that his grace of Canterbu 
could find no fault with him, either in his doctrine or his 
life. Also, that it'was no great promotion, but a place in 
which, by the labours of Mr. Deering, he doubted not that _ 
her majésty’s subjects would be much profited. It was all 
to no purpose. ‘The archbishop remembered his former 
nonconformity, but especially his puritanical answers to the 
articles in the star-chamber; and, therefore, remained in- 
flexible, and :would not admit him. , 
At length, Mr. Deeting being worn out. by hard labours 
and manifold troubles, fell sick ; and perceiving his disso- 
lution to approach, he said to his friends, ‘« The Lord 
pardon my great negligence, that, while I had time, I used 
not his precious gifts more for the advancement of his glory, 
as I might have done: yet I bless God, that I have not 
abused those gifts to ambition and vain studies. When I 
am dead, my enemies will be reconciled to me; excepting 
such as knew me not, or such as have in them no sense of 
the truth. I have faithfully, and with a good conscience, 
served the Lord my God, and my prince.” A brother 
minister standing by him, said, ‘* It is a great blessing to 
you, that you shall depart in -peace, and be taken from 
many troubles, which your brethren shall behold and suffer.” 
To whom he replied, “If the Lard hath appointed that 
his saints shall sup herin heaven, why do J not go to 
them? But if there be any doubt or hesitation resting on — 
my spirit, the Lord reveal the truth unto me.” Having for 
some time lain still, a friend who attended him, said, that 
he hoped his mind had been employed in holy meditation ; 
to whom he thus replied : -“‘ A poor wretch and a miserable 
man that I am, the least of all saints, the chief of all sinners! 
yet I trust in Christ my Saviour. Yet a little while, and we 
shall see our hope. The end of the world is coming upon us ; 
and we shall quickly receive the end of our hope, which we 
have so much looked for. Afflictions, diséases, sickness, 
and gtief, are only parts of that portion which God hath 
allotted us in this world. It is not enough to continue some 
time in his ways; we must persevere in the fear of the Lord 
to the énd of our days. For in a moment we shall be taken’ — 
away. ‘Take heed, therefore, that you do not make spout of 
the word of God, nor lightly esteem so great a treasure. 


*. Strype’a Parker, p. et 47. 


“— 


VOL. I. 


210 LIVES OF. THE PURITANS. 


Blessed are they who, while they have tongues, use them te 
God’s glory.” a 
As the hour of his dissolution approached, being raised 

up in bed, his friends desired him to say something to their 
edification and comfort. The sun shining in his face, he 
thus addressed them: “ As there is only one sun in the 
world, so there is only one righteousness, and one commu- 
nion of saints. If I were fhe most excellent creature in the 
world, equal in righteousness to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, 
yet would I confess myself to be a sinner, and that I expected 
salvation in the righteousness of Jesus Christ alone: for we 
all stand in need of the grace of God. As for my. death, I 
bless God, I find and feel so much comfort and joy in my 
soul, that if I were ‘put to my choice, whether to die or live, 
I would a thousand times rather choose death than life, if it 
was the holy will of God.” He died soon after, June 26, 
1576.* : ; co 

. Fuller denominates Mr. Deering a pious man, a painful 
preacher, and an eminent divine; but. disaffected to ishops 
and ceremonies.t Mr. Strype says, he was disliked by 
bishops, and some other great personages, as a man vain and 
full of fancies, because he would tell them of their common 
swearing and covetousness. He would not assocjate with 
-persecutors ; and was much grieved when the benefice of a 
great parish was given to an unpreaching minister. Yet, 
says he, it was Mr. Deering’s common fault to éell Kes.t 
Does not this look like a slander? What did the excellent 
Dr. Sampson say of him, as already noticed, who‘knew him 
well? Surely, if this had been his common fault, having so 
many enemies constantly and narrowly watching him, bis 
sin would have found him out.. Granger gives a very 
different account of him. ‘ The happy death,” says he, 
‘‘ of this truly religious man, was suitable. to the purity and 
integrity of his life.” .He is classed with the other learned 
writers and fellows of Christ’s college, Cambridge.) 

Mr. Deering was a man of great léarning, and a fine 
orator; but in his sermon before the queen, ¥ ebruary 25, 
1569, he had the boldness to say, “‘ If you have sometimes 
said (meaning in the days of her sister Mary,) tanquam ovis, 
as a sheep appointed to be slain; take heed you hear net 


.* Account. annexed to Mr. Deering’s Lects. on Heb:—Faller’s Abel 
Redivivus; p. 341, 342. a ae oo 

+ Faller’s Church Hist. b. ix. p. 109. { Strype’s Parker, p. 381, 429. 

§ Granger’s Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 215.  j Fuller’s Hist. of Cum. p. 92- 


~ 


ALDRICH. 211 


now of the prophet, tanquam indomica juvenca, as an un- 
tamed and unruly heifer.”* For this, he was forbidden 
preaching any more at court; and surely, says Fuller, 4he 
queen still retained much of her former disposition, as a 
sheep, in not inflicting a greater punishment, for so public 
a reproott | So, , 

. Clark relates the following anecdote, shewing the 
amiableness of his truly christian spirit. Mr. Deerjng being 
once at a public dinner, a gallant young man sat on the 
opposite side the table, who, besides other vain discourse, 
broke out into profane swearing; for which. Mr. Deering 
gravely and sharply reproved him., The young man. 
taking this as an affront, immediately threw a glass of beer 
in his face. Mr. Deering took no notice of the insult, but 
Wiped his face, and continued eating as before. The youn 
gentleman presently renewed his profane conversation ; and 
r. Deering reproved him as before; upon which, but 
with. more rage and violence, he flung another glass of beer 
in his face. Mr. Deering continued unmoved, still shewin 
his zeal for the glory of God, by bearing the insult wit 
christian meckness and humble silence. This so astonished 
the young gentleman, that he rose from the table, fell on his 
knees, and asked Mr. Deering’s pardon ; and declared, that 
. if any of the company offered him similar insults, he would 
stab them with his sword.t Here was practically verified, 
the New Testament maxim, “ Be not overcome of evil, but 
Overcome evil with good.” Sk 


: His Works.—1. A Sermon at the Tower of London, 1569.—2. A 
sparing Restraint of many lavish Untruths, which Master D. Harding 
doth challenge in the first Article of my L. of Salisburies Reply, 1569. 
—3. Certaine godly and comfortable Letters, full of Christian Conso- 
lation, 1571.—4. Twenty-seven Lectures, or Readings, upon part of 
the Epistle to the Hebreues, 1576.—5. A Sermon preached before the 
Queen's Majesty, the 25th day of February, 1569, from Psalm Lxxviii. 
70., 1584.—6. A briefe and necessarie Catechisme, or Instruction very 
needful to be known to all Householders.—All these were collected 


and published in one volume, in 4to., 1597. 


_* Tomas Atpricu, A. M.—He was son of Jobn Aldrich, 
Who .was twice chosen mayor of the city of Norwich, 
and member of several parliaments for that city. His father 
being a public character, introduced him to public notice, 


® Sermon before the Queen, Feb. 25, 1569. 
"+ Faller’s Church Hist. b. ix. p. 109. 
~ Clark’s Examples, p. 500. Edit. 1671.° 


212 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


and obtained his preferment to several ecclesiastical bene- 
fices. He was made aschdeacon of Sudbary, prebendary 
ot Westminster, master of Bennet col bridge, 
roctor of the university, and rector of Hadleigh in § 

olk.» About the same time, he became chaplain to Arch- 
bishop Parker, and was appointed one of the commissioners 
for visiting and reforming the papists in the county of 
Norfolk.+ Notwithstanding all these worldly allu 

together with a flattering prospect of much higher advance- 


ment, he espoused the cause of the uritans ; 
became a zealous nonconformist, and one of their in 
the university of Cambridge. 


It is observed, that, May 20, 1571, Mr. Aldrich preached 
at Thetford, in Norfolk: May 2ist, he preached at Wy- 
mondham: May 22d, he preached at Matshall: May 24 
he preached in St. Clement’s church, Norwich: and the 
next Lord’s day, May 27th, he preached in the Greenyard, 
before the mayor and citizens. He was, therefore, noi 
labourer in the Lord’s vineyard. 

Mr. Aldrich being master of the above college, and refusing, 
from a scrupulous conscience, to take the “degrees required. 
of those in that office, was brought into many troubles, 
and at length, to avoid expulsion, resigned his mastership of 
the college. Many other grievous complaints are said to have 
been brought against him, most probably about his noncon- 
formity. In one of these complaints, he is said to have 
called the archbishop “‘ the pope of Lambeth arid Bennet 
college.” Dr. Whitgift, at this time one of the heads of the 
university, took an active part in these severities. This was 
in the year 1573; but some time previous to these troubles,: 
Mr. Aldrich voluntarily resigned his prebend at West- 
minster.§ ‘It is, indeed, acknowledged, at as he objected 
taking the degrees, upon the ground of a scrupulous con- 
science, the treatment he met with was-rather too severe]. 

The author last cited, however, brings many foul accu- 
sations against him. He observes, that Mr. Aldrich was 
charged, not only with refusing to qualify for his office, but 
with evil government of his college, in neglecting its 
exercises and discipline; with things prejudicial to its . 
temporal interests; and with various other things, to the. 
number of twenty. Arid the troubles of the college did not. 


* Blomefield’s Hist. of Norfolk, vol. ii. p. 468. 

+ Newcourt’s Repert. Eccl, vol, i, p. 925. . 

: Strype’s Parker, p. 254. § Ibid. p. 429—483.—Whitgift, p. 49 
Master’s Hist. of C.C.C. p. 112. Edit. 1753. | 


s 
¥ oe 


LEVER. 4 $13 


" énd with his resignation. ‘ For the masters and fellows, says 
he, were afterwards under the necessity of appealing to 
Chancery, to oblige him to account for several sums of 
money which he had received, and had not paid ; to restore 
many writings, the private seal. of the master, and some 
other things; and to discharge the various debts which he 
had contracted. These, however, were not recovered till . 
after his death, which happened in the year 1576.* These 
are certainly very heavy charges! But how far he was 

jilty, is not easy now to ascertain. He was a man well versed — 
in the learned languages, also in the French and Italian.+ 
The Oxford historian ‘says, that he was deprived of his 
prebend for notorious nonconformity; but, upon his re- 
pentance and reconciliation, that he was admitted to another 
prebend, in 1576, the year in which he died.} It is not 
easy to reconcile this with the account given above from Mr. 
Strype. 


’ Tuomas Lever, B.D.—This celebrated divine was born 
of respectable parents at, Little Lever in, Lancashire, and 
éducated in the university of Cambridge. After taking 
his degrees, he was chosen fellow, then niaster of St. John’s 
college; in which office he succéeded Dr. William Bill, 
and was.the seventh master of the house. He was a 
famous disputant, a célebrated scholar, and remarkably 
zealous in the advancement of true religion.| He -was 
Ordained both priest and deacon, in the year 1550, by 
Bishop Ridley, afterwards martyr in the Marian persecu- 
jon, and was a most eloquent and popular preacher to the 
close of the reign of King Edward. This learned prelate 
Kad a very high opinion of him, and esteemed him famous 
for his bold and plain preaching. Speaking of the preaching 
of Latimer, Bradford, Knox, and Lever, he said: ‘“‘ They 
ripped so deeply in the galled backs of the great men at 
court, to have purged them of the filthy matter festered in. 
heir hearts; as, insatiable covetousness, filthy carnality, 
voluptuousness, intolerable pride, and ungodly loathsome-. 
ness to hear poor mens’ cases and God’s word; that they 
could never abide them above all others.”** Afterwards, 


* Master’s Hist.of C.C.C.p. 11,112. st. . oe 
+ Strype’s Parker, p. 289. ¢ Wood's Athenee Oxon. vol. i, p. 725. 
§ Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. i. p. 146. , , 
| Strype’s Cranmer, p. 163. 
< Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. i. p. 146. ## Strype’s Parker, p. 211. 


q14 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


when Ridley.was cast into prison, and not long -before- he 
was committed to the flames, he wrote a letter to his friend 
Grindal, then in exile, in which he made affectionate and 
honourable.mention of Mr. Lever, as one of the persecuted. 
servants of Christ.» | 

In the above year he preached two sermons, the one at 
Paul’s cross,+ the other before the king, which, it is said, 
would in that day have spoiled any man’s preferment. As. 
he delivered several things'on these occasions, illustrating 
the history of the time, and particularly shewing the state 
of learning, the way of living, and the course of study, as 
well as the manner of preaching, in those days, ‘we shall. 
take notice of one or two passages; which serve also to 
describe the author in his spirit and address. Having 
spoken in commendation of King Henry’s bounty, in giving 
3£200 annually, towards the exhibition of five learned men, 
to read and teach divinity, law, physic, Greek and Hebrew, 
and of his munificence in founding Trinity college, -and 
other bounties, he proceeds as follows : 

“‘ Howbeit, all they that have knowen the universitye-of 
“ Cambryge, sense that tyme that it dyd fyrst begynne to 
‘* receive these greate and manyefolde benefytes from the 
“‘kynges magstye, at youre handes, have juste occasion 
“to suspecte that you have decyved boeth the kynge and 
“ universitic, to enryche yourselves, For before that you 
“‘ dyd begynne to be the disposers of the kynges lyberalitye 
“ towards learnynge and poverty, ther was in houses be-. 
“ longynge unto the universitye of Cambryge two hundred 
“ students of dyvynytye, many verye well learned: whyche © 
““ be nowe all clene gone, house and name ; younge towarde 
“scholers, and old fatherlye doctors, not one of them 
“lefte. One hundred also of an other sorte, that havynge 
“ rich frendes or beying benefyced men dyd lyve of theym- 
“‘ selves in ottels and innes, be eyther gon awaye, or elles 
“‘fayne to crepe into colleges, and put poore men from 
“bare lyvynges. Those bothe be all gone, and a 
“ number of poore godly dylygent students now remaynynge. 
“only in colleges be not able to tary, and contynue 
‘“‘ their studye in the universitye, for lacke of exhibition 
“and healpe. There be dyverse ther which ryse dayly 
“betwixt foure and fyve of the clocke in the marnynge ; 


* Fox's Martyrs, vol. iii. p. 347. ot 
_ + Paul’s cross was a pulpit, in the form of a cross, which steod nearly 
in the middle of St. Paul’s church-yard, where the first reformers used 
_ frequently to preach unto the people. | mo 


LEVER, =; I 215 


“and from fyve untill syxe of the clocke, use common 
“6 prayer, wyth an exhertation of God’s worde, in a commoti 
“‘ chappell; and from sixe unto ten of the clocke, use ever 
< eyther. private study or common lectures. At tenne of. 
< the clocke they go to dynner, where as they be contenté 
““wyth a penye pyece of biefe amongest foure, havy 
“a fewe porage made of the brothe of: the same byefe: 
‘* wythe salte and otemel, and nothynge els. 

“ After thys slender dinner, they be either teachinge or 
“ learnynge untyll fyve of the clocke in the evening, 
“ whenas they have a supper not much better than theyr 
“diner. Immedyatelye after the wyche, they go eyther to 
“* reasonynge in problemes or unto some other studye, untyl 
«it be nyne or tenne of the clocke; and there beynge 
© wythout fyre, are fayne to walke or runne up and downe 
‘¢ halfe an houre, to gette a heate on their feete, when they 
< go to bed.’’» SO , | | i. 

otwithstanding the heavy pressures under which the 

university, and particularly St. John’s college, groaned, of 
which Mr. Lever complains in his sermons, occasioned by 
the hungry courtiers invading the ecclesiastical preferments ; 
yet his college greatly flourished, as well in religion as in 
sound learning. The reformation in no place gained more 
ground, or was maintained with greater zeal, than in this 
college, and under the worthy example and just government 
of this master. This was ‘manifest in. the day of trial; 
when he, with twenty-four of his fellows, quitted their 
places and preferments, to preserve their own consciences. + 

Mr. Lever was a zealous advocate for the reformation, as 
well as genuine piety. He held a correspondence with his 
numerous friends; and among his letters, the following, 
which contains information not unworthy of notice, is given 
as a specimen of his sentiments and address. It is addressed. 
to the learned Roger Ascham; and though there is no year 
mentioned, it appears from the contents to have been written 
November 13, 1551, and about the time when he was prey 
ferred to the mastership of his college.t ot 


“ To Roger Ascham, . 

« My salutation in Christ. I haye received your letters 
<< written, unto me, As concerming a privilege to be pro: 
<¢ cured for you, so that the reading of Greek in Cambridge 
*¢ might be free from Celibatus, and such acts as the fellows 


* Baker's MS. Colles. vol. j. p. 147,148. «+ -“‘Ibid. pr 149, 150, 
* Jt Ibid. vol, xxxii, p. 496,497, .. | 


216 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


’ & of the house be bound unto. J have also shewed. Mr. 
« Cheek your request, and have as yet no answer from him. 
“ Your letters of news written to all the fellows of Bt. 
¢¢ John’s, are as yet reserved there, and come not as_yet 
«unto my sight. As touching the imprisonment of the 
¢¢ Duke of Somerset and his wife, the Earl of Arundel, the 
.6¢ Earl Paget, Lord Gray and others, that be lately put 
& into the Tower, other men that know more than I do 
‘¢ may write unto you better than I can. The bishoprics of — 
“‘ Fuincoln, Rochester and Chichester, be as yet void, and 
$6 appointed as yet certainly to no man for as much as I know. 
é¢ Mr. Horne is dean of Durham, Dr. Redman is deceased, 
“and Dr. Bill by the king is appointed master of Trinity 
“ college, Cambridge, and I to succeed him in the master- 
‘ship of St. John’s. Dr. Redman being in a consumption 
& did look certainly for death, and did ever talk of religion 
<€ as one who had clean forsaken the world, and look and 
“ desire to be with God. I will shew you part of such talk 
“as Mr. Young of Cambridge did hear of Dr. Redman 
“¢ himself, and did shew unto me afterwards. First, Dr. 
“ Redman being desired to answer to questions of religion 
“ his judgment, did say, that he would answer betwixt: 

© and his conscience, without any worldly respect. “Ten 
‘¢ being demanded what he thought of the see of Rome, he 
“ said, it was the sink of iniquity : but do not you also think 
‘¢ that we have a stinking pump in the church of En 3 
“ To the demand of purgatory, he said, there was no such. pt 

_ © gatory as the schoolmen do imagine ; but when Christ shall 
 com2 surrounded with fire from heaven, then all meeting 
“him shall there be purged, as I think, said he, and as 
“many authors do take it. And to make the mass a 
** sacrifice for the dead, is to be plain against Christ. And 
‘s¢ to the proposition, faith only justifieth, he answered, that 
‘¢ was a comfortable and sweet doctrine, being rightly under- 
<¢ stood of a true and lively faith, and that no works could 
<¢ deserve salvation; no, not the works of grace in a man 
“‘ that is justified. When he was asked what he thought of 
‘¢ transubstantiation, he said, he had studied that matter 
<¢ these twelve years, and did find that Tertullian, Irenzeus 
<¢ and Origen, did plainly write contrary to it, and in. the other 
$6 ancient writers it was not tanght nor maintajned. ‘There: 
6 fore, in the schoolmen, he thought he should. have found 
¢ plain and sufficient matter for it; but in them there was 
no good ground, but all was imaginations and grogs errors. 
@ Conceming the presence, he said, that Christ was in the 


. LEVER. a 217 
s* sacrament really and corporally, as Mr. Young told me; 
- © and yet being asked whether that was Christ’s body which 
“we see the priest lift up, he said that Christ’s body 
“ could neither be lifted up, nor down; and carrying it 
*¢ about to be honoured, he said, was an evil abuse. Also, 
she said, that evil men do not receive Christ’s body, but 
§¢ the sacrament thereof. He advised Mr. Young to study 
s the scriptures, and to beware of men. He said also that 
“the book which my lord of Canterbury last set forth 
“of this matter, is a wonderful book, and willed Mr. 
«¢ Young to read it with diligence. Mr. Young said to me, 
« that whereas he was aforetime as ready and willing to 
4¢ have died for the transubstantiation of the sacrament, as 
“for Christ’s incarnation; he is now purposed to take 
s¢ deliberation, and to study after a more indifferent sort, to 
‘¢ ground his judgment better than upon a common consent 
6¢ of many that have borne the name of Christ. I trust that 
not only Mr. Young, but many others are drawn from 
‘¢ their obstinacy unto more indifferency, by Dr. Redman’s 
«< communication. 
<¢ If I be master of St. John’s college, I shall be desirous 
« to have you at home, and not unwilling that you should 
“ have and enjoy any privilege that may encourage you to 
« a better knowledge of the Greek tongue.* Since I wrote 
4 last, there be dead of your acquaintance Dr. Neveyear, 
“ Dr. Redman, and Dr. Bell the physician. All other your 
% friends and acquaintance are in good health, When you 
. talk with God in meditation and prayer remember me. 
« Considér ; be vigilant; pray, pray, pray. Scribbled at 
“ London, 13 November. 
; SS «¢ Faithfully yours, 
© Tuomas LEvErR.” 


On the death of King Edward, and the return of popery 
and persecution, Mr. Lever withdrew from the storm, fled 
_heyond sea, and was involved in the troubles at Frankfort. 
It does not, however, appear that he took any active part in | 


* Roger Ascham, to whom this epistle was addressed, was one of the 
brightest geniuses and politest scholars of his age. He was public orator of 

- the university of Cambridge, and Latin secretary to Edward VI., Queen 
Mary, and Queen Elizabeth, the last af whom he taught to write a fine 
hand, and instructed in the Greek and Latin languages, of which he wasa 
consummate master. His letters are valuable both for style and matter, 
and are’almost the only classical work of the kind written by an English- — 
man; yet with all his learning and refinement, he was extravagantly fond 
of archery, dicing and cockfighting.— Weod’s Atheng Oxon, vo), i. p. 005. 
Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. i. Pp. 276. 


218 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


those disgraceful broils, but was invited thither to be one of 
the pastors of the church, and a judicious mediator between 
the contending parties. Herein his worthy service utterly 
failed. He also visited the learned protestants at Stras- 
burgh, Basil, Zurich, Berne, Lausanne, and Geneva ; amon 
whom he discovered great learning, sound doctrine, an 
godly discipline, especially in Bullinger and Calvin; as he 
wrote to his intimate friend Mr. John Bradford, then in 
confinement preyious to his martyrdom.* While Mr. Lever 
was in a state of exile, he lived chiefly at Arrau in Switzer- 
land, where he was chosen pastor to the English church. The 
members of this church, under his pastoral care, are said to 
have lived together in godly quietness among themselves, 
and in great favour with the people among whom th 
were planted. Upon the arrival of news of the queen's 
death, and a pros of better days in his own country, he 
united with his brethren at Arrau, in addressing a most 
affectionate letter of congratulation to their brethren in 
exile at Geneva.+ . 
On the accession of Queen Elizabeth, Mr. Lever returned 
home, but not to the mastership of his college, havi 
brought with him, it is said, “ that unhappy tincture whi 
disqualified him for his preferment.”} ‘This was his non- 
conformity. Haying acted ppon the genuine protestant 
principles, in matters of ceremony and discipline, while in 
a foreign land, he wished to act upon them now he was re- 
turned to his natiye country, and was desirous that the 
reformatiqn might be carried on towards perfection. 7 
He was a celebrated preacher at court, and was often. 
called to preach before the queen. He had so much influ- 
ence over her majesty, that he dissuaded her from assumin 
the title of Sypreme Head ; for which, though he did it 
with great temper, he was severely censured by persons of 
another spirit.¢ it was this which gave the first and great 
offence to the ruling courtiers. Though they had heard 
him with great attention in the days of Ring Edward, they . 
would not amend their lives under Queen Elizabeth, nor 
would many of them attend upon his ministry. He 
entered upon the married state soon after his return from. 
exile, and sooner than he could do it with safety. His 
marriage, as well as his puritanical principles, appears ta 


* Troubles at Frankeford, p. 80.—Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p, 1814. | |. 

+ Troubles at Frankeford, p. 159, 164. re 
Baker’s MS. Collec. vol i. p. 150. | | - 
Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p, 132. 


wo LEVER... yy 219 


have been some hinderance to his return to the mastership 
of his college.* cer 
In the ‘year 1561, according to Mr. Strype, he was pre- 
ferred to a prebend in the church of Durhan, and to the 
mastership of Sherborn Hospital, near Durham ; the former 
of which, he says, in one place, he supposes Mr. Lever was 
deprived of for nonconformity, and in another, that he 
resigned it in the year 1571.+ In addition to this informa-: 
tion, he tells us that upon Mr. Lever’s return from exile, he 
obtained no other preferment besides that of the mastership 
of the aboye hospital, which he kept to his death: yet he 
mentions him as Archdeacon of Coventry, and in this - 
capacity, sat in the convocation of 1562, and subscribed the 
Articles of Religion.t It is extremely difficult, not to-say. 
impossible, to reconcile these accounts of the learned and. 
voluminous historian. By another writer, he is said to 
have been collated to the mastership of the above hospital, 
January 28, 1562; and, the year following, to his prebend. 
in the church of Durham; both of which, be supposes Mr.. | 
Lever held ‘by connivance from Bishop Pilkington, who 
had formerly been one of the fellows in the university.4 . : 
Archbishop Parker having pressed conformity to the. 
habits and ceremonies, sequestered and deprived many: 
Jearned and faithful ministers. This was a great affliction. 
to the Lord’s servants. They were exceedingly tempted .. 
and tried. The sorrow of most ministers was, indeed, very: 
great; and they murmured, saying, “ We are killed in. 
our souls, by this pollution of the bishops. We cannot. 
perform our ministry in the singleness of our hearts. We 
abide in extreme misery, our wives, and our children, by. 
the proceedings of the bishops, who oppose us, and place. 
ignorant ministers in our places.” Mr. Lever, therefore, 
addressed an excellent letter to the Earl of Leicester and. 
Sir William Cecil, dated February 24, 1565, in which he 
e the extreme hardships under which the puritans 
laboured, by the imposition of the habits and ceremonies ; : 
and earnestly solicits them to use their utmost endeavours to- 
rocure some favour for his silenced brethren, who had 
n lawfully admitted into the ministry, and had always 


* Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. i. p. 152. . 

+ Strype’s Annals, vo]. i. p. 133.—Parker, p. 325. 

} Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 290. vol. ii. Appen. p. 15, 
-§ Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. i. p. 150, 

lj Ibid. vol. xxvii. p. 388, 389. 


238 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
faithfully preached the gospel. In this letter, he éxpressed 


himself as follows :* . 
- «¢ Wherefore in the universities and elsewhere,” says he, 
“ no-standing but sinking doth appear ; when, as the office 
and living of a minister shall be taken from him, who, once 
lawfully admitted, hath ever since diligently preached, 
because he now refuseth prescription of men in a ; 
and the name, living, and office of a minister of God's word, 
allowed to him who neither can nor will preach, excépt as a 
mere form.—Now there is notable papistry in England and 
Scotland proved and proclaimed by the preaching of the 
gospel, to be idolatry and treason, and how much idolatry 
treason is yet nourished in the hearts of many, God 
_knoweth ; and how the old stumbling-blocks are set up in 
many things and many places, especially the crucifix in 
England, and the mass in Scotland, before the faces of the 
highest, is daily seen by idolaters and traitors with tejoicing 
and hope ; and by christian'and obedient subjects with sorrow 
of heart and fear of the state. 

‘¢ ]f, in the ministry and ministers of God’s word, the 
sharpness of salt by doctrine to mortify affections, be rejected, 
and ceremonial service, with flattery to feed affections, be 
retained, then doth Christ threaten such treading under foot, 
no power nor policy can withstand. oo. 

_ & Now, therefore, my prayer unto God, and Writing to 
your honours, is, that authority in dingland, and especially 
you may for sincere religion refuse worldly pleasure and 
gains. You ought not to all 


® Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. xxi. p.559-—-661.—Strype’s Parkey, Appen. 7%. 


LEVER. : S21 


godly honour; which God for his mercy in Christ grant 
unto the queen’s majesty, unto you and all other of her 
honourable council, amep. . By. yours. at commandment, 
faithfully in Chyist, | 

«Tuomas Laver.” 


Mr. Lever was a person tly beloved, cially by 
ns of learnin ad real Porth y but the chore letter was 
most Brobably without its desired effect. He was a most 
learned and popular preacher at court; and though he 
was.a decided’ noncon ormist, he obtained a connivance for. 
some time. In the year 1566, when many excellent minsters_ 
were silertced for refusing the habits and ceremonies, he is 
sant to have been stilt allowed to preach ;* but the year 
following, he was deprived of his prebend in the church of 
Durham.+ | | | 
There were at this period numerous puritans confined in 
the various prisons about London, for refusing conformity 
to the established church; when Mr. Lever wrote a letter, 
dated December 5, 1568, to those who were confined. in 
Bridewell. In this excellent letter, he first endeavours to. 
comfort the prisoners under their manifold afflictions; then 
declares that though the popish garments were not in them-' 
selves unclean, he was resolved, by the grace of God, never 
to wear the square cap and surplice ; “ because,” says he, 
“they tend neither to decency nor edification, but to 
offence, dissention, and division in the church of Christ.” 
He would, therefore, use his utmost endeavours to get them 
abolished ; and adds, “that he would not kneel at the 
communion, because it would be symbolizing with popery, 
and would look too much like the adoration of the host.’ 
' Though he was a fixed nonconformist, he was a man of 
a peaceable spirit, and of great moderation, and constantly 
oO to a total separation from the church. . 
hese excellent qualifications could not screen him from 
the persecutions of the times: for he was not only deprived 
of his prebend, as observed above, but, in June 1571, he 
was convened before Archbishop Parker and others. of the. 
high commission at Lambeth. What prosecution he under-. 
went on this occasion, we are unable fully to ascertain, only 
our historian by mistake observes, that he resigned, or was 
deprived of, his prebend.§ _ , 


* Strype’s Parker, p. 228. + Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. i. p. 161... 
; MS, Register, p. 18, 19- 
Strype’s Parker, p. 325.—Grindal, p. 170. 


| 998 LIVES OF ‘THE PURITANS. 


’ Mr. Lever was a person of great usefulness. Hes 
great pains in promoting the welfare of his hospital, not 
only by preaching and other religious exercises, bat by 
recovering its temporal privileges. Qn account of the 
corrupt management of its estates, which were rented by 
several persons one of another, its pecuniary income was 
very much reduced, and even almost lost : but by his zealous 
and vigorous efforts, it was effectually recovered. His 
endeavours in this business reflect much honour on bis | 
character.* In this situation he spent the latter part of life 
in great reputation and uscfulness, and died in the month 
of Fuly, 1 77. His remains were interred in the chapel 
belonging to the hospital, and over his grave was the 
following plain monumental inscription erected to his 
memory :+ 7 
. THomas Lever, 
preacher to King Epwarp vi. 


He died in July, 
1577. 


A few wecks previous to his death, Mr. Lever received s 
letter from the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, dated 
June 18, 1577, requiring him, in her majesty’s name, 
to put down the prophesyings within bis archdeaconry.t 
Had he lived a little longer, he would in all probability 
have felt the severities of persecution from the new Bishop 
of Durham, as was the case with bis brother Whittingham; 
but God took him away from the evil to come. Fuller 
says, that whatever preferment in the church he pleased, 
courted his acceptance ; but is greatly mistaken concerning 
the time and place of his death. Mr. Stry pe denominates 
him a man of distinguished eminence for piety, learning, 
and preaching the gospel.| Mr. Gilpin says, he wasa man 
of excellent parts, considerable learning, and very exemplary 
piety; that, in the days of King Edward, he was 
an excellent and bold preacher; and that he was the 
intimate friend of the celebrated Bernard Gilpin.s Mr. 
Baker has favoured us with the following account of him: 
‘¢ Preaching,” says this writer, “was indeed his talent, 
which, as it was thought fit to be mace the only ingredient 
in his character, so he continued in it to the last, even after 


ftrype’s Annals, vol. tb. p. 513, 514. 

Ibid.— Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. i. p. 151. 

MS. Register, p. 284. § Fuller's Wortbies, part i. p. 284: 
Strype’s Parker, p. 211 


* 
+ 
i 
4 Gilipin’s Life of Bernard Gilpie, p. 249. Edit. 1780. 


} 


MERBURY. 99g 


he was deprived. Thus much may: be gathered from the 
printed Register, that will give a very authentic character 
of the man. From the ps , it appears, that’ he was a 
useful preacher, and permitted to preach after his depriva- 
tion ; that he was inoffensive in his temper; and that no 
sufferings could provoke him. En the days of King Edward, 
when others were striving for preferment, no man was more 
vehement, or more galling in his sermons, against the waste 
of church revenues, and other prevailing corruptions of the 
court ; which occasioned Bishop Ridley to rank him with 
Latimer and Knox. He-was a man of as much natural 
probity and blunt native honesty as his college ever bred: a 
man without guile and artifice; who never made suit to any 
patron, or for any preferment ; one that had the spirit of 

ugh Latimer. No one can read his sermons without ima- 
gining he has something before him.of Latimer or Luther. 
‘hough ‘his sermons are bold and daring, and full of rebuke, 
it was his preaching that got him his preferment. His 
rebuking the courtiers made them afraid of him, and pro- 
cured him reverence from the king. “He was one of the 
best masters of his college, as well as one of the best of men 
the college ever bred.”’* He was succeeded in the mastership 
of his hospital by his brother, Mr. Ralph Lever, another 
puritan divine. Mr. Henry Lever, his grandson, and Mr. 
Robert Lever,.his great-grandson, were both ejected by the | 
act of uniformity in 1662+  ~ : : 


: His Worxs.—l1. Sermon on Rom. xiii.. 1—7., 1550.—2. A Sermon 
preached the thyrd Sondaye in Lente before the Kynges Mazjestie, 
on John vi. 5—14., 1550.—3. A Sermon preached at Paul’s Cross, the 
14th day of December, on 1 Cor. iv. 1., 1550.—4. The right Way from 
the Danger of Sin and Vengeance in this wicked World, unto godly 
Wealth and Salvation in Christ, 1575.—5. A Commentary on the 
Lord’s Prayer.—6. ‘The Path-way to Christ. 


_> Francis MersBuRY was minister at Northampton, and 


brought into many troubles for nonconformity, being several 
times cast into prison. November 5, 1578, he was convened 
before the high commission; when he underwent the 


| following examination before Bishop Aylmer, Sir Owen 
| Hopton, Dr. Lewis, Mr. Recorder, and Archdeacon Mullins, 
in t So, 


e consistory of St. Paul’s, London: - 


~ *. Baker’s MS, Collec. vol. i. p. 146, 152. ~ 
’ + Palmer’s Noncon: Mem. vol. iii. p. 58, 78. 


296 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Bishop. Merbury, where have you béen since your last 
enlargement ? 

Merbury. At Northampton. 

- You were especially forbidden to go to that place. 
For there you did all the harm. 

M. I was not, neither in justice may be inhibited from that 
place. Neither have I done harm there, but good. : 

B. As you say, sir. 

M. Not so. I refer myself to the judgment of God's 
church at that place. 

B. The last time, you found more favour than you 
deserved, and more than you shall find hereafter; and yet 
_ you vaunted that you had rattled the Bishop of Peterbo- 

h, and in like manner you would treat me. 
a If your ears be open to every sycophant, you will 
have slanders enow: but for proof, bring forth mine 
accusers. For if bare words will serve your purpose, you - 
may as. well accuse me of high treason. 
Well, siz, what have you: to say against my lord of 
Peterborough, or me? 

M. Nothing ; ; but God save you both. 

B. Nothing! Why, you were wont to bark much. of 
dumb dogs. Are you now weary of it? 

M. I came’ not to accuse, but to defend.. Yet because 
yu urge me for advantage, I say, that the bishops - of 

ndon and Peterborough, and all the bishops in England, 
are guilty of the death of as many souls, as have perished 
by the ignorance of the ministers of their. makings whom 
they knew to be unable. : 

B. Whom such have I made? 

M. I acctse you not particularly, because I know not 
your state. If you have, you must bear the condemnation. 
.B. Thy proposition is false. . If it were in. Cambridge, it 

would be hissed out of the schools. 

M. Then you had need hire hissers. 

B. If I, finding one well qualified with learning, admit 
him, and ‘he afterwards play the truant, and become i ignos 
rant, and by his ignorance slay souls, am I guilty of 

ath? 

M. This is another question. I distinguish and speak of 
them which never were able. 

B. Distinguish! thou knowest not ‘a distinction.” Whai 
is a distinction ? 


M. It is the severing of things which appear to be the 
same. ior 


MERBURY. . | 225 


B. Nay, that is differentia. | 

M. Different, que non sunt ambigua,; but we distinguish 
those things only which are ambiguous: as, you differ 
not from the Bishop of London; but 1 may distinguish 
between you and the Bishop of London, because you are a 
man though you were without a bishopric. ; 

B. Here is a tale of a tub. How many predicaments are 
there? | 

M. I answer you according to your question, if I say 
there are enow of seven. Why do you ask me questions so 
impertinent ? 

B. How many prédicables be there? Where didst thou 
learn logic ? a | 

M. The last time you spoke of good behaviour; but this 
is something else. 1 am no logician. 

Recorder. Merbury, use my lord more reverently. He 
is a peer of the realm. I perceive your: words are puffed 
up with pride. Oo 

M. I speak only the truth. I reverence him so far as he 
is reverend ; and I pray God to teach him to die. 

B. Thou speakest of making ministers. The Bishop ‘of 
Peterborough was never more overseen in his life than when 
he admitted thee to be a preacher jn Northampton. 

M. Like enough so, in some sense. . I pray God those 
scales may fall from his eyes. ’ . 

B. Thou art a very ass; thou art mad; thou art cou- 
rageous; nay, thou art impudent. By my troth, I think he 
is mad: he careth for nobody. . 

M. Sir, I take exception against swearing judges. I 
praise God I am not mad, but.sorry to see you so much out 
- of temper. : 

B. Did you ever hear one more impudent. 

_’ M. It is not impudency, I trust; to answer for myself. 
B. Nay, I know thou art courageous; thou art fool-. 


hardy. 

Mm Though I fear not you, yet I fear the Lord. 

R. Is he learned? | 

B. Learned! He hath an arrogant spirit. He can scarce - 
construe Cato, I think. 

M. Sir, you do not punish me because Iam unlearned,. 
Howbeit, I understand both Greek and Latin. Make trial 
of me, to prove your disgrace. a =. a 


_* What ridiculous trifling was this! Yet this is the prelate whom Mr. 
Sfrype extols on account of his great learning, aad deep knowledge of 
“divinity.—Sirype’s Aylmer, p. 255. ; 
VOL. I. Q 


2% LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


B. Thou takest upon thee to be a preacher, but there is 
none in thee. Thou art a very ass, an idiot, and a fool.» 
M. I humbly beseech you, sir, have patience, and give 
this people a better example. Through the Lord, fam 
what lam. I submit the trial of my sufficiency to the 
judgment of the learned. But this wandering speech is not 


Hopton. Mr. Merbury, how do you prove all the bishops 
in England, to be guilty of the death of as many souls as 
have perished, by the ignorance of the unable ministers 
which they have made? : 

M. If they ordain unmeet or unable ministers, they. give 
unto them imposition of hands too hastily, to do which, the 
apostle saith, they are partakcrs of other mens’ sins. 

B. The Greek word. importeth nething but the examina- 
tion of their lives. 
| M. tis general enough to include. both; and it is before 
set down in the Epistle as a positive law. “A bishop (a 
word formerly used im a mere general sense) must be apt to 
teach ;” and, according to the apostle, if he be net so 
approved to your conscience, you communicate with his 
sins. 

B. What sins are those, I pray thee? 

- M. Soul-murder. oe ey 

B. How dost thou prove that? 

M. The words of the prophet are, “ My people are 
destroyed for lack of knowledge.” And who should teach 
them knowledge? 

B. Knowledge ! Have they not the homilies and the 
catechism ? It is more, methinks, than they will learn. 

M. Yes, or their parish priest either, to any purpose, in 
many places. ; 

B. Why then, by thy saying, it seems they have too 
much of this already. | 

M. And too little of the other. 

B. What other ? : 

M. I mean preaching. What can an ignorant’ minister 
see in those things more than a book-learned parishioner? 

B. O! thou wouldst have all preaching. Até not the 
homilies sermons? - | eo. 

M. God giveth his own sore ot own appointed 

not in CC a “esl 


means, which is preaching, 


* Such was the, lasgmige frosi-a temd bishop) whom Mu: Sity 
commends as. an exact logician, dull & man nt cparseet parsing 
Aylmer, p- 240. . . . . "y it aa 


MERBURY. a7 


B. Mark you what his words insinuate. He condemneth 
reading in churches; and seemeth to affirm, that they are 
all damned, whose minister is not a preacher. You see 
what he is. | 

Dr. Lewis. By St. Mary, these be pernicious errors. Sir, 
what say you of them ? 

- M. Mr. Doctor, I allow of the reading of the scriptures 
in.the chutch; for Christ read Esaias ifi the temple, and 
expounded what he reid. I am no judge. God hath 
extraordinary supplies, whén he takes away the ordinary 
means; but it is good for us not to tempt God, but thank- 
fully to use his ordinary metis. | 

' L..-Go to the purpose. If I present « man to my lord, 
whom I take to be a true man, and he prove a thief, am I 
guilty of his theft? Neither is the bishop guilty of the faults - 
of ministers, of whom there is good hope when he maketh | 


M. Sir, you argue a paribus, but your reason holdéth not. 
L. Why? 


M. You may try him who would be a spiritual thief 
before you trust him: but you cannot try the other till he 
rave stolen something.  —’ 7 | 

-L.. What trial would you have mote than this: he fs a 
honest man, and in time likely to prove learned ? | 
- M. Then, in the mean time, the people perish. You 
will not conimit ‘yout sucking’ child toa dry nurse, be she - 
ever so honest. . | 

L. A good life is a good sermon ; and such ministers slay 
ifo souls, though they be not so exquisite. 7 

M. To teach by example only, is good in a matron whom 
silence best becometh; but tlie apostle tefleth Titas, that 
S¢ pyinisters must be able by sound doctrine, both to exhort 
and to convince the gainsayers.” : | 
Bi This fellow would havé'a preacher in every parish 
éhutch ! ° : | 

M. So would St. Paul. : cr _ 

 B. ‘Where wouldst thou have them oo 

M. In Cambridge, in Oxford, in the inns of court, yea, 
and some i prison, if more were wanted. We doing’ our 
pert, the Lord weuld do his, == oe 

B. I thought where thou wouldst be. But where is the 
living for them ? | 

M. A man might cut a large thong out of your hide, and 
that of the other prelates, and. # weuld never be missed. - 


»> 


228 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


B. Go thou on to contrive. Thou shalt orderly dispose 
of our livings. 

M. That is more than you can do yourselves. If rich 
livings be the fault, they are to blame who have too much. 
Whatever be the cause, the church feeleth the smart. . 

Mullins. Sir, in the beginning of her majesty’s reign, 
there was a defect of able men; and the church was con- 
strained to take such as it could get, upon the recommenda- 
tion of noblemen. | 

M. I speak of later times. As for noblemen, they are no 
sureties for us; and as to the defect, it cannot wholl 
dispense with the word. A minister must be able to teach. 

Mull. Then you would have a preacher, or none at all; 
and so the church would be unserved. 

M. It would be better to have nothing, than that which 
God. would not have. 

B. How dost thou prove that God would not have them, 
when we can get no better? 

M. Doth he not say, ‘“‘ Because thou hast rejected know- 
ledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest 
unto me?” 

B. Thou are an overthwart, proud, puritan knaye.» Thou 
wilt go to Northampton; and thou wilt have thine own 
sayings till thou die. But thou shalt repent. 

. | am no puritan. . I beseech you to be goodto me. fF 
have been twice in prison already ; but I know not why. 

B. Where was he before? . 

' Keeper of the Gatehouse. With me, my lord. 

B. Have him to the Marshalsea. There he shall cope 
with the papists. 

M.-I must go where it pleaseth God. But remember 
God’s judgments. You do me open wrong. I pray God 
forgive you.t+ . 

r. Merbury was then carried to the Marshalsea; but 
how long he remained in prison we are not able to lear. 
Notwithstanding the cruelty with which the good man was 
treated, he was not a person of severe principles, but 
acted with great moderation; and afterwards, with 
liberty of interpretation, became much more conform- 
able.t A minister of the same name was afterwaxds 


* This prelate was much accustomed to use foul language. He called 
Bishop Bonner, because he was remarkably corpulenat, ‘** My Lord Lubber 
of London.”’—Strype’s Aylmer, p. 275. rer 

+ Parte of a Register, p.38)—886. | { Baxter’s Second Plea, p. 4l,-. 


|. WHITTINGHAM. | 999 


beneficed in the city of London; but whether he was the 
same person appears rather doubtful.» — 


Witiram Wuairttincnam, A. M.—This excellent divine 
was born in the city of Chester, in the year 1524, and 
educated in Brazen-nose college, Oxford. In 1545, he 
became fellow of All-Souls college. Afterwards, being 
accounted one of the best scholars in the university, he was 
translated to Christ-church, then founded by Henry VIII. 
dn the year 1550, he travelled into France, Germany, and 
Italy, and returned towards the close of the reign of Edward 
VI. Upon the accession of Queen Mary, and the com- 
‘mencement of her bloody persecution, he fled from the 
storm, and retired to Frankfort, where he settled among the 
first of-the English exiles. Here he was the first who took 
the charge of the congregation, but afterwards resigned to | 
Mr. John Knox. Mr. Whittingham and his brethren having 
comfortably settled their church at Frankfort, invited their 
brethren, who had taken refuge in other places, to come to 
them, and participate of their comforts: but on the arrival 
of Dr. Cox and his friends, instead of union and comfort, 
_ they were soon deeply involved in discord and contention ; 
and many of them, in a short were time, obliged to leave the 
place. Our historian observes, that when ‘“* Dr. Cox and others 
with him came to Frankfort, they began to break that order 
which was agreed upon: first, by answering aloud after the 
minister, contrary to the determination of the church; and 
being admonished thereof by the seniors of the congregation, 
he, with the rest who came with him, made answer, that they 
would do as they had done in England, and that they would 
have the face of the English church. And the Sunday. 
following, one of his company, without the consent and 
knowledge of the congregation, got up suddenly into the 
pulpit, read the litany, and Dr. Cox with his company 
answered aloud, whereby the determination of the church 
was broken.”+ ‘These imperious exiles having, by very 
“ungenerous and unchristian methods, procured the use of 
the church, Mr. Whittingham said, he did not doubt that it 

was lawful for him and others to join themselves to some 
other church. But Dr. Cox sought that tt might not be 
suffered. Then Mr. Whittingham observed, that it would 
be great cruelty to force men, contrary to their consciences, — 


_* Newcourt’s Repert. Ecc]. vol. i. p. 406, 422, 519. 
+ Troubles at Frankeford, p. 31. 


230 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


to obey all their disorderly proceedings ;' and offered, if the 
magistrate would be pleased to give them the hearing, ta 
dispute the matter against all the contrary party, and 
prove, that the order which they sought to establish, ought 
not fo take place in any reformed church. In this they 
were expressly prohibited, and even forbidden meddling 
any more in the business. They ventured, however, to 
_ offer, as their last refuge, to refer the whole matter to four 
arbitrators, two on each side; that it might appear wha was 
faulty, and they might vindicate themselves from the charge 
ef schism: but the proposal was rejected; and after this 
unkind and unchristian treatment, they left the place.» Mr. 
Whittingham being, in effect, driven from Frankfort, went 
to Geneva, where he was invited to become pastor to the 
English church. He refused, at first, to accept the charge; 
but, by the earnest persuasion of John Calvin, he complied 
with their invitation, and was ordained by the laying on of the 
hands of the presbytery. During his abode at Cenova, he 
was employed with several other learned divines, in pub- 
lishing a new translation of the Bible. This was after- 
wards called the Geneva Translation, a particular account 

of which is given in another place.+ 
Soon after the accession of Queen Elizabeth, Mr. 
Whittingham returned home; and presently after his 
arrival, was nominated to accompany the Karl of Bedford 
en his mission to the court of France. Upon his return 
from France, he accompanied the Earl of Warwick, in his 
defence of Newhaven against the French. There he was a 
preacher for some time; and, as Wood observes, though 
he was ready in his ministerial function, he dissuaded his 
hearers against conformity, and the observance of the rites 
and ceremonies of the English church. Yet, such was the 
high esteem which this excellent earl had for him, that, 
about 1563, he was the means of procuring from the queen, 
his preferment to the deanery of Durham. He was.a very 
jearned and. popular preacher ; .and in September 1563, he 
preached before the queen.§ During this year, the ruling 
prelates proceeded to a more rigorous imposition of the 
clerical habits; therefore, Mr. Whittingham wrote a most 
pressing letter to the Earl of Leicester, intreating him to:use 
is interest to prevent it. In this letter, he expressed hime 


. * Proubles at Frankeford, p. 38—51. 
H Bee Art. Coverdale, 
ood’s Athenee Oxon. vol, i. p. 153.—Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. $97. 
§ Strype’s Parker, p. 135. P | . , 


WHITTINGHAM. : pt | 


self with considerable freedom, upon the painful subjecté 
the substance of which was as follows :* _ 

“‘ T understand,” says le, “ they are about to.compel ws, 
contrary to our comsciences, to wear the popish apparel, ot 
deprive us of our ministry and livings. Yet when I coni 
sider the weighty charge enjoined upon us by Almighty | 
God, and the exact account we have to give of the right 
use and faithful dispensation of his mysteries, I cannet 
doubt which to choose. He that would prove the use of 
the apparel to be a thing indifferent, and may be imposed: 
must prove that it tendeth to God’s glory; that it h 
with his word. that it edifieth his church; and that it 
maintaineth christian liberty. But if. it wanteth these 
things, then is it not indifferent, but hurtful. And how caw 

ods glory be advanced by those garments which anti- 
christian superstition has invented to maintain and beautify 
idolatry? What agreement can the superstitious inverts 
tions of men, have with the pure word of God? What 
edification can there be, when the Spitit of God is grieved, 
the children of God discouraged, wicked papists confirmed, 
and a door open for such popish traditions and antichristiah 
impiety? And can that be called true christian liberty, 
where a yoke is laid on the necks of the disciples; where 
the conscience is clogged with impositions; where feithfal 
‘preachers are threatened with deprivation ; where the regular 
dispensation of the word of God is interrupted; where 
congregations are robbed of their learned and godly 
pastors; and where the holy sacraments are made subjeat 
to superstitious and idolatrous vestments ? 

“ Your lordship will thus see, that to use thé ornaments 
and manners of the wicked, is to approve of their doctrind. 
‘God forbid, that we, by wearing the popish attire, as a thin; 
merely indifferent, should seem to consent to their superst? 
tious errors. The ancient fathers with one consent, acknow- 
ledge that all agreement with idolatry, is so far from bding 
indifferent, that it is exceedingly pernicious. Some will say, 
‘that the apparel is not designed to set forth popery, but fe 
‘good Policy. Will it then be deemed policy, to 
deck the spouse of Christ with the ornaments of the by- 
‘lonish strumpet, or to force. her faithful pastors to 
‘decorated like superstitious papists ? God would not permit 
his people of old, to retain any of the Gentile manners for 


. © Strype’s Parker, Appen. p. AS—A47. 


252 ‘LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


the sake of policy, but expressly forbad their imitation of 
‘them, and commanded them to destroy all the appurtenances 
of idolatry and superstition. And, in the time of ‘the 
gospel, our Lord did not think it good policy, either to wear 
the pharisaical robes himself, or to suffer any of his disci- 
pcs to do it; but condemned it as altogether superstitious. 
en I consider that Jereboam maintained his calves in 
Dan and Bethel, under the plausible name of policy, it 
makes me tremble to see the popish ornaments set forth 
under the same pretence. For if policy may serve as a | 
cloak to superstition and papistry, then crowns and crosses, 
oil and cream, images and candles, palms and beads, with 
most of the other branches of antichrist, may again 
introduced. 

<< It is well known, that when Hezekiah, Josiah, and othe 
famous princes, promoted the reformation of religion ac- 
cording to the word of God, they compelled not the 
ministers of God to wear the apparel of Baal’s priests, but 
utterly destroyed all their vestments, Hezekiah commanded 
all the appenduges of superstition and idolatry, to be car- 
ried out of the Temple, and to be cast into Kedron. . Josiah 
burnt all the vestments and other things belonging to Baal 
and his priests, not in Jerusalem, but out of the city. All 
this was done according to the word of, the Lord, who 
commanded that not only the idols, but all things pertaumng 
to them, should be abhorred and rejected. And if we.com- 
pel the servants of Christ, to conform unto the papists, I 
greatly fear we shall return again to popery. : 

“¢ Our case, my lord, will be deplorable, if such compul- 
sion should be used against us, while so much lenity is used 
towards the papists. How many papists enjoy their liberty 
- and livings, who have neither sworn obedience to the queen’s 
Majesty, nor discharged their duty to their miserable flocks! 
These men laugh and triumph to see us treated thus, and 
are not ashamed of boasting, that they hope the rest of 
popery will soon return. My noble lord, pity the discon- 
solate churches. Hear the cries and groans of many thou- 
sands of God’s poor children, hungering and thirsting after 

iritual food. I need not appeal to the word of God, to 
the history of the primitive church, to the just judgments of 

poured out upon the nations for lack of true reforma- 
tion. Judge ye betwixt us and our enemies. And if we 
seek the glory of God alone, the enjoyment of true christian 
liberty, the overthrow of all idolatry and superstition, and 


s 


WHITTINGHAM. | 233 


to win souls to Christ; I beseech your honour to pity our 
case, and use your utmost endeavours to secure unto us our 
liberty.’ | . 

W hat effect this generous letter produced, we are not 
able tolearn. Mr. Whittingham was a man of an excel- 
lent character and admirable abilities. This was well 
known at court. Therefore, some time after his settlement 
at Durham, Secretary Cecil being made lord treasurer, he 
was nominated to the secretary's place; and, says Wood, if 
he had sought after this office, and made interest with his 
noble friend, the Earl of Leicester, he might have obtained 


* Bishop Pilkington of Durham wrote a letter, at the same time, to the 
-same noble persons in which he addressed him as follows :—‘* Consider, I 
** beseech your honour, how that all countries, which have reformed 
‘* religion, have cast away the popish apparel with the pope; and yet we, 
*‘ who would be taken for the best, contend to keep it as a holy relic. 
‘© Mark, also, how many ministers there be here in all countries, who are 
** so zealous, not only to forsake’ the wicked doctrine of popery, but ready 
*6 to leave the ministry and their livings, rather than be like the popish 
*¢ teachers of such superstitions, either in apparel or behaviour. This 
‘¢ realm has such scarcity of teachers, that if so many worthy men should 
<* be cast out of the ministry, for such smal] matters, many places would be 
*¢ destitute of preachers; and it would give an iocurable offence to all the 
4¢ favourers of God’s truth, in other countries, Shall we make that so 
‘* precious, which other reformed churches esteem as vile? God forbid. 
** If we forsake popery as wicked, how shall we say their apparel 
** becomes saints and professors of true holiness? ‘St. Paul bids us refrain 
<‘ from all outward shew of evil; but, snrely, in keeping this popish 
‘© apparel, we forbear not an outward shew of much evil, if popery be 
‘6 judged evil. Ilow christian peace shall be kept in this church, when so 
‘** many, for stich sinall things, shall be thrust from their ministry and 
‘¢ livings, it passes my simple wit to conceive. We must notso subtilly 
‘* dispute what christian liberty would suffer us to do, but what is most 
*< meet and edifying for christian charity, and promoting true religion. 
‘¢ But, surely, how popish apparel should edify, or set forth the gospel 
“¢ of Jesus Christ, cannot be seen of the multitude.’ How much it rejoices 
‘¢ the adversaries, when they see what we borrow of them, and contend for, 
“* as things necessary. The bishops wearing their white rockets began first 
** by Sisinius, an heretic bishop of the Novatians; and these other have the 
‘$6 like foundation. They have.so long continued and pleased popery, 
“* which is beggarly patched up of all sorts of ‘ceremonies, that they could 
“6 never be rooted out since, even from many professors of the truth. 
¢* Though things may be borne with for christian liberty’s sake for a time, 
«tin hope to win the weak; yet, when liberty.is turned to necessity, it is 
*¢ evil, and no longer liberty ; and that which was for winning the weak, is 
“* become the confirming of the froward, Paul used circumcision for a 
¢ ©¢time as of liberty; but when it was urged of necessity, he would not 
‘‘ bend unto it. Bucer, when be was asked why he did not wear the 
+6 sauare cap, made answer, because my head is not square. God be mere 
** ciful to us, and grant us uprightly to seek his honour with all simplicity - 
~ *Sand earnestness.” This prelate, who had been an exile in the days of 
Queen Mary, was a man of great learning, piety, and moderation, and a 
constant friend to the persecuted puritans. — Strype’s Parker, Appen. 
~ p. 40, 41, —— 


28 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


it; but he was not in the Jeast anxious for court prefermente 
During the severities inflicted upon the nonconformists, in 
the former part of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, when mest 
were obliged to conform, or be deprived of their livings 
and ministry, it is said that Mr. Whittingham at fint 
refuscd, but afterwards subscribed.+ And in the year 1571 
by the instigation of Archbisl P Parker, he was ci 
before Grindal, archbishop of York; but the particular 
cause of his citation, or what prosecution he underwent, at 
Teast at that time, does not appear.t 

While Grindal lived, who, towards the close of life, 
connived at the nonconformists, Mr. Whittingham and his 
brethren in the province of York, were not much inter- 
rupted; but Dr. Sandys was no sooner made archbishop, 
than he was brought into troubles, from which the stroke of 
death alone could deliver hi In the year 1577, the new 


r bis 

to answer 

the charge, but stood by the rites of the church of Durbar, 
and denied the archbishop’s power of visitation in that 


gton, 
‘ork, 


contained in the articles. ‘The 
favourer of the puritans, and Dr. Hutton was of Whit 
ham’s principles, and boldly declared, “That Mr. WI 
tingham was ordained in a ‘better sort than eyen the arcle 
bishop himself.” The commission, therefore, came @ 
nothing.§ 
jaudys being sorely veq 
as Whittingham’s calli 
obtained another commit 


* Wood's Athenm Oxon. » 

+ Strype’s Grindal, p. 98, 
Ibid. p. 170,—Btry pe’s | 
Strype’s Annals, val. ti. y 


WHITTINGHAM. 235 


of Durham, the Lord President, the Chancellor of the 
Diocese, and some others in whom he could confide, to visit 
the church of Durham. The chief design of this was to 
deprive Mr.. Whittingham, as a mere layman. Upon his 
appearance before the commissioners, he produced a certifi- 
cate under the hands of eight persons, signifying the manner 
of his ordination, in these words :—“ It pleased God, by the 
“¢ suffrages of the whole congregation (at Geneva) orderly 
‘Sto choose to Mr. W. Whittingham, unto the office of 
‘© preaching the word of God and ministering the sacra 
‘ments; and he was admitted minister, and so published, 
‘‘ with such other ceremonies as are there used and accus- 
“ tomed.”* It was then objected, that there was no mention 
made of bishops or superintendants, nor of any external 
solemnities, nor even of imposition of hands. Mr. Whit- 
fingham replied, that the testimonial specified in general the 
ceremonies of that church, and that he was able to prove 
his vocation to be the same as all other ministers of Geneva. 
Upon this the lord president said, “ 1 cannot in conscience 
agree to deprive him for that cause alone. This,” he added, 
‘* would be ill taken by all the godly and learned, both at 
home and abroad, that we allow of popish massing: priests 
in our ministry, and disallow of ministers made in a& 
reformed church.” The commission was, therefore, ad- 
journed, and never renewed.+ — | _ | 
The archbishop’s proceedings against Mr. Whittingham, 
were evidently invidious; and they greatly sunk his reputa- 
tion, both in town and country. His calling Whittingham’s 
ordination in question was expressly contrary to the statute 
of 13 Eliz. by which, says Mr. Strype, ‘‘ The ordination of 
foreign reforméd churches was made valid; and those 
who had no other orders, were made of like capacity with 
others, to enjoy any place of ministry in ngtand 
Indeed, the Oxford historian says, Mr. Whittingham did 
good. service to his country, not only against the popish 
rebels in the north, bat in repelling the Archbishop of York, 
from visiting the church of Durham. Yet he denominates 
him a lukewarm conformist, an enemy to the habits and 
ceremonies, and an active promoter of the Geneva doc- 
trine and discipline; and‘ he brings many severe charges 
against him, styling them works of impiety. He caused 
several stone collins, belonging to the priors, and laid in the 
cathedral of Durham, to be taken up, and appointed them 


# Strype’s Annals, vol. ii. p. 523. + Ibid. p. 524. } Jeid. 


236 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


to be used as troughs for horses and swine, and their covers 
to pave his own house. Ile defaced all the brazen pictures 
and imagery work, and used the stones to build a washing- 
house for himself. The two holy water stones of fine marble, 
very artificially engraven, with hollow bosses very curi- 
ously wrought, he took away, and employed them to steep 
beef and salt fish in. He caused the image of St. Cuthbert, 
and other ancient monuments, to be defaced. And the 
truth is, he could not endure any thing that appertained to 
A monastic life. How far Mr. Whittingham was concerned 
in these works of impiety, it is not in our power to ascer- 
tain; and how far he is censurable for these things, is left 
with the reader to determine. 

With an evident design to reproach his memory, Dr. 
Bancroft says, that Mr. Whittingham, with the rest of his 
Geneva accagmplices, urged all states to take arms, and 
reform religicn themselves by force, rather than suffer such 
idolatry and superstition to remain in the land.+ And a late 
writer, with the same ill design, observes, ‘‘ that when he 
returned from exile, he imported with him, much of the 
leaven of Geneva.” + 

He was, however, a truly pious man, opposed to all 
superstition, an excellent preacher, and an ornament to reli- 
gion and learning. He died while the cause of bis depri- 
vation, for not being ordained according to the rites of the 
English church, was depending, June 10, 1579, in the 
sixty-fifth year of his age. Wood informs us, though 
without the smallest evidence, that he unwillingly submitted 
lo the stroke of death., His remains were interred in the 
cathedral at Durham. : " 

This |carned divine wrote prefeces to the works of: several 
learned men; as, Mr. Goodman's book, entitled “ How 
superior powers ought to be obeyed,” &c. He published 
the translations of several learned works, and be. turned 
part of the Psalms of David into metre. These are still 
used in the church of England. Those which he did, have 
W. W. prefixed to them, among which is Psalm cxix.; as 
may be seen in the Common Prayer Book.\ 

* Wood’s Athenee Oxon. vol. i. p. 154. 

+ Bancroft’s Dangerous Positions, p. 62. Edit. 1640. 

} Charton’s Life of Nowell, p. 114. § Athene, p. 155. 

| The otber persons concerned in turning the Psalms into metre, were 
Messr+. Thomas Sternhold, John Hopkins, and Thomas Norton, all eminent 
in their day, and zealous in promoting the reformation of the church. The 
parts which they performed have the initials of their names prefixed to 


them, as may be seen in the Common Prayer Book.— Wood's Athena, vol. 
i. Pp. 62, 63, 153. : 


LAWRANCE. 237 | 


Mr. LAWRANCE was a man of great piety, an admired 
preacher, and incumbent in the county of Suffolk. He 
discovered great modesty, was unblameable in his life, sound 
in doctrine, and a laborious and constant preacher. He was 
first employed in the ministry in the above county, about | 
the year 1561, where he continued to labour about six years 
with great acceptance and usefulness. But in the year 1567, 
he was silenced by Archbishop Parker’s visitors for noncon- 
formity. The good man having received the ecclesiastical 
censure, several persons of quality in that county, who knew 
his excellent character and great worth, wrote a letter to the 
archbishop, earnestly soliciting his restoration. This letter, 
dated October 27, 1567, was as follows : 


“¢ Our lhumble commendations and duties remembercd to 
your grace. Great necessity doth occasion us to write to 
you for one Mr. Lawrance, lately a preacher; of whose 
great modesty, unblamceable life, and sound doctrine, we have 
good experience, having with great diligence been well 
exercised among us these five or six years. He commonly 
preached twice every Lord’s day, and many times on the 
working days, without ever receiving any thing. His 
eneinies cannot accuse him of any thing worthy of reproach, 
as we testified to your grace’s visitors, and desired them that 
he might still continue his preaching; for we knew very 
well that we should have great need of him. Now we see 
‘it more evident. For there is not one preacher within a 
circuit of twenty miles, in which circuit he was wont to 
‘preach. : 
ee Thus we have thought good to certify your grace of 
the necessity of our ciuntry, and diligence and 
behaviour of the man; trusting that your grace will either 
restore him again, or send ussome other in his room; which 
we most earnestly desire. Commending the same to Almighty 
God, and praying that he may preserve your grace. Your 
grace’s to command, | 


‘¢RoBpert WINGFIELD, THomas Peiton, 
Witiiam Hopton, Tuomas Cotsy, 
Rosert Horton, — Tuomas PLAYLEss.”* 


Wipiram Cavenpisa, 


Though it does not appear what success attended their 
application, nor yet how long Mr. Lawrance. remained 


* MS. Register, p. 889, 800, 


238 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


under the ecclesiastical censure, he was afterwards restored 
to his beloved ministry. 

This, however, was not the end of his troubles: for in 
the year 1579, he was again suspended by the Bishop of 
Norwich, for not observing all the ecclesiastical rites and 
ceremonies. Upon his suspension, his people soon expe- 
rienced the loss of his excellent labours. Mr. Calthrop, a 

ntieman of distinguished eminence in the county, and the 
ord treasurer Burleigh, therefore, applied to the bishop for 
his restoration. But his grace observed, that what.he had 
done in suspending him, was by virtue of the queen’s 
orders, requiring him to allow no ministers to preach who 
were not in all things perfectly conformable to the rites and 
ceremonics of the church. Mr. Calthrop urged the t 
want there was of such excellent preachers as Mr. Law- 
yance, for whose fitness for the work of the ministry he 
would undertake to obtain the testimonial of the chief 
gentlemen in the county. But all was unavailable: the 
good man still remained under the episcopal censure.» 

_ Mr. Lawrance was y beloved by persons of a reli- 

ious Character throughout the county where he lived, and 
Fis suspension was the cause of much sorrow and grief to 
all who knew him. Therefore, in the month of April, 1580, 
the above worthy persons made a second application to the 
bishop, but with no better success. The bishop remained 
inflexible, and declared that unless the treasurer com- 
manded him, he would not restore Mr. Lawrance without 
perfect conformity. So he still continued under sus- 


pension. +t 


Joun Hanpson was curate of St. James’s church, Bury 
St. Edmunds, in Suffolk, and brought into trouble for non- 
conformity. He refused to wear the surplice, net only ip 
time of divine service, but even in the administration of the 
sacrament ; saying, that by law he thought himself not bound 
to wear it. He was examined by the chancellor to the 
Bishop of Norwich; but it does not appear what penalties 
were then inflicted upon him. This was in the year 1573.4 
In 1581, he was again brought into trouble by his diocesan, 
Dr. Freke, who euspended him for nonconformity. The 
bishop gave an account of this affair, in a letter to the trea- 
gurer, dated April 19th, this year. : 


* Strype’s Annals, vol. ii. p. 585, 586. + Ibid. p. 660. 
t Strype’s Parker, p. 452. 


HANDSON~WRIGHT. : 238 


Mr. Handson having continued for somé time under the 
‘episcopal -censure, the treasurer, after due examination of 
the case, wrote to the bishop in reply to his letter, desiring 
that the good man might be resipred to his ministry. . At 
the same time, Sir Robert Jermin, Lord North, and some 
- others, wrote to his gracc, requesting the same favour. Sir 
Robert, in his letter, said, ‘That his lordship had examined 
‘Mr. Handson’s case at length, but, in his opinion, very 
indiscreetly, in many of the principal points; that. they 
knew his ministry to have been very profitable to great 
numbers; that they who sought to remove him, were — 
adversaries, rather than friends to the truth ; that, as to faith 
and manners, he was ‘ever held a sound teacher ; that in these 
indifferent things (meaning the matters of conformity) he 
_ had never laboured mich; and that, from these considera- 

tions, he requested the bishop would allow him the free exer- 
cise of his ministry.” But the angry prelate stood resolute, 
and declared peremptorily, that he never would, unless Mr. 
Handson would publicly acknowledge his fault, and enter 
into bonds for his good behaviour in future. Other 
applications were made to the bishop, to take off his suspen- 
sion; but whether he ever became so favourably disposed, 
we have not been able to learn.* : 


- Roserr Wricut.—He lived fourteen years in the 
university of Cambridge, was a very learned man; and: tutor 
to the Earl of Essex, both in school learning and at the 
university. Being dissatisfied with episcopal ordination, he 
went to Antwerp, where he was ordained by the laying on 
of the hands of the presbytery. Upon his return. to Eng- 
land, Lord Rich of Rochford, in Essex, made him his 
domestic chaplain; and he constantly preached and admi- 
nistered the sacrament in his lordship’s chapel, but in no 
ether place, seeing the bishop utterly refused him a license. 
He was an admired preacher; and, for his great. seriousness 
and piety, was universally beloved by the clergy im the 
county. .While his noble patron lived, he protected him 
from danger; but this excellent lord was no sooner.dead, 
than Dr. Aylmer, bishop of London, laid hands on him ;_ 
\d for saying, “ That to keep the queen’s birth-day as an 
holiday, is to make her an idol,” he was committed to the 
Gatehouse, where he continued a long time.t 


* Strype’s Annuals, vol. iii. p- 15,91. + Strype’s Aylmer, p. 83—87, 


240 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Having lain in prison several months, he petitioned the 
bishop to be brought to trial, or admitied to bail. But all 
the answer be could obtain of his grace, was, that he 
deserced to lie in prison sezen years. ‘This very hard usage, 
together with Mr. Wright’s open and undisguised honesty 
and piety, moved the compassion of his keeper; and, his 
poor wite being in child-bed and in great distress, he gave 

im leave, with the private allowance of the secretary of 
state, to make her a visit at Rochford, upon his ; 
But it so happened, that Dr. Ford, the civilian, met him oa 
. the road, and acquainted the bishop with his escape; who, 
falling into a violent passion, sent immediately for the 
keeper, and demanded his prisoner. The keeper pleaded 
the great compassion of the case; but all was unavailable, 
For the bishop threatened to complain of him to the queen, 
and have him turned out of his place. Mr. Wright, having 
received information of his keeper’s danger, returned imme- 
diately to his prison, and wrote as follows to the lord trea- 
surer in his behalf:—“ Oh! my lord,” says he, “ I most 
humbly crave your lordship’s favour, that I may be de- 
livered from such unpitiful minds ; and especially, that. your 
lordship will stand a good lord to my keeper, that he may 
not be discouraged from favouring those who profess true 
religion.” This was written in May, 1582. The keeper 
was therefore pardoned. 

The bishop, however, was resolved to have full satisfac- 
tion of the prisoner; and, bringing him before the high 
commission, he was examined upon certain articles concern. 
ing the Book of Common Prayer; the rites and ceremonies; 

raying for the queen and church; and the established 

orm of ordaining ministers. He was, moreover, charged 
with preaching without a license, and with being a mere 
layman. 'To which he replied, “ that he’ thought the Book 
of Common Prayer, upon the whole, was good and godly, 
but could not answer tor every particular. That as to rites 
and ceremonies, he thought that his resorting to churches 
where they were uscd, was a sufficient proof, that he did 
not utterly condemn them. That he prayed tor the. queen, 
and for all the ministers of Gsod’s word ; consequently, for 
archbishops, bishops, &c. That he .was only a private 
chaplain, and knew of no law that required a license for such 
@ place. But he could not acknowledge, that he was a mere 


« * Strype’s Annals, vol. iii. p. 128, 124. 


\ 


. WRIGHT. --:- 241 


daymen, beviag preached seven years in the university with 
a license, and being since that time regularly ordained, by 
the laying on of the hands of the resbytery at Antwerp.” . 

The bishop having ‘charged Mtr. right with sayi 
‘¢ That the election of ministers ought to be by their flocks, 
he acknowledged the charge, and supposed it was no error; 
adding, * That he was himself thus chosen by his flock at 
Rochford; that in his.opinion, every minister was a bishop, 
though not a dord bishop; and that his grace of London, 
must be of the same opinion; because when he was last 
before him, he rebuked Mr. White for striking one of his 
parishioners, alleging that text, A bishop. must be no 
striker: which had been impertinent, if Mr, White, who 
was only a minister, had not been a bishop.” When he was 
charged with saying, ‘‘ That the ministers who only used 
the common prayer, were dumb dogs,” he said, ‘the 
phrase, though used in scripture, has very seldom been in 
my mouth, on any occasion whatever. But it can never be 

oved, that I eyer called any man, especially any preacher, 
a that name. Yet a man who is professed] e pastor of 
a flock, and does not preach at all, may, according to the 
design of the prophet, deserve the name of dumb dog.” 

Aylmer also charged him with saying, “There werenolaw- 
ful ministers in the church of England ; and that those who 
are called ministers, are thieves and murderers.” To this, Mr. 
Wright said, «I will be content to be condemned, if I bring 
not two hundred godly, preaching ministers, as witnesses 
- against this.accusation. I do as certainly believe, that there 
are lawful ministers in England, as that there is a sun in the 
gky. In Essex, I can bring twenty godly ministers, all 
preachers, who will testify that they love me, and have 
cause to think that I love and reverence them. I preached 
seven years in the university of Cambridge with approba- 
tion, and have a testimonial under the hands and seals of the 
master and fellows of Christ’s college, being all ministers, 
of my good behaviour.” oo | —_ 

is excellent divine having been a.considerable time 10 
the Gatehouse, in September, 1582, became willing to sub- 
scribe to the allowance of the ministry of the church of Eng- 
land, and the Book of Common Prayer. Yet Bishop 
Aylmer required his friends to be bound in a good round 
sum, that henceforth he shoyld never. preach, nor act, con- 
to the same. Upon these conditions, his grace was 


| ® Strype’s Annals, vol, iii, Appea. p. 88-88. 
VOL. I. Rt 


22 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


not unwilling to grant him favour, if the queen approved of 
it.» It is, indeed, very doubtful whether the favour was 
ever obtained ; for the unmerciful proceedings of the above 
prelate against the puritans, were almost unparalleled.+ 


Bernarp Gitrin, B. D.—This celebrated was 
born of an ancient and honourable family, at Kentmire in 
Westmoreland, in the year 1517, and educated in Queen’s 
college, Oxford. He made the closest application to his 
studies, and uncommon progress in useful learning. Having 
determined to apply himself to divinity, he made the scrip- 
tures his principal study; and with a view to his better 
acquaintance with them, he resolved by the greatest indus- 
ty to gain a thorough knowledge of the Greek and 

ebrew languages. He had not been long thus employed 
before he was noticed as a young man of excellent parts and 
considerable learning; and became exceedingly admired 
and beloved for the sweetness of his disposition, and the 

liteness of his manners. At the usual term, he took his 

egrees in Arts, and was elected fellow of his college. His 

reputation was, indeed, so great, that he was c to 
supply the college newly founded by Cardinal Wolsey. 


* Strype’s Aylmer, p. 87. 

+ The zeal and assiduity of Bishop Aylmer in defence of the cherch of 
Fnglaud, is said to have recommended him to the particular favour of 
Queen Elizabeth. Though in the carly part of his life he declaimed against 
the wealth and splendour of bishops, and spoke with vehemence against 
their lordly dignity and civil authority, and was an avowed advocate of what 
was afterwards called puritanism ; yet, as he rose in ecclesiastical prefer- 
ment and worldly grandeur, he changed his opinions, and became the most 
violent in the opposite sentiments. And notwithstanding he is styled a 
person of extraordinary wisdom, a worthy prelate, and a bieming to the 
church ; he was certainly one of the most unfeeling and cruel persecators, 
of which the pages of history afford sufficient proof. He was preceptot to 
Lady Jane Grey ; and, on the accession of Queen Mary, he went into exile. 
His escape was very remarkable. Being a little man, the merchant ef the 
ship in which he made his escape, put him into a wine butt, witha partition 
in the middle, so that he was inclosed in one end of the cask, while thé 
searchers drank wine dvawn out of the other.—He was a man of great 
courage, and had one of his own teeth drawn, to enceurage Queen 
Elizabeth to submit to a similar operation. When he wished to rouse the 
attention of bis audience while he was preaching, he usually took bis 
Hebrew Bible out of his pocket, and read them a few verses, and then 
resumed his discourse,. He was remarkably fond of bowls, even om the 
Lord’s-day, when he commonly used very unbecoming language, to. the 
gteat reproach of bis character.—Sirype’s Aylmer, p. 215—208.—PWeed's 
Athena, vol. i. p. 611.—Biog. Britan. vol. i. p. 384-901. Edit. 1778— 
Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 208. " 

i The following memoir of Mr. Gilpia is chiefly collected frem thd. 
‘¢ British Biography,” vol. iii, p. 98—. -. 4 


~-. GILPIN, ©. #48 
Mr: Gilpin having been trained up in the popish religion, 
still continued a steady son of that enurch Riad cabo Sat 
of popery, had held a disputation with John Hooper, after- 
_ wards bishop of Worcester, and the famous martyr. This 
was in the reign of Henry VIII.; but upon the accession of ' 
King Edward, Peter Martyr being sent to Oxford, delivered. 
public lectures upon divinity in a strain to which that 
university had been little accustomed. He attacked the 
Romish doctrines in a manner that alarmed the popish 
party ; which induced them to unite, and make as strong an 
Opposition as they were able. Mr. Gilpin having gained 
considerable reputation in the university, the popish party 
were exceedingly solicitous to engage him in a public 
defence of their cause, and made the most Pressing applica- 
tions for this purpose. But they found his zeal much 
cooler than their own. Indeed, he was not satisfied with 
the cause of the reformers, having never had a sufficient ' 
opportunity of acquainting himself with their principles 
but, on the other hand, he had never been a bigotted papist ; 
and had discovered, in his dispute with Hooper, that 
several of the Romish doctrines were not so well supported . 
by scripture, as he had before supposed. While his mind 
was thus unsettled, he thought himself ill qualified to defend 
either side by public disputation. His inclination was to 
stand by as an unprejudiced observer; and to embrace the 
truth, whether he found it among papists or protestants. 
By much importunity, however, he at length yielded, and 
the-next day appeared in public against Peter Martyr.*  - 
_Mr. Gilpin being thus drawn into the controversy against 
his inclination, was determined to make it as useful as possi- 
ble. to himself. By bringing his old opinions to the test; 
he hoped that he should be enabled to discover whether 
they were justly founded, or he had hitherto been involved 
inertor. He resolved, therefore, to lay aside as much as 
possible, the temper of a caviller ; and to follow truth, from 
which he was determined nothing should make him swerve. 
Having commenced the dispute, he soon found the argu- 
ments of his adversary too strong for him. They came so . 
dorcibly authorized by the testimgny of scripture, that he 
 # Dr. Peter Martyr, a celebrated reformer, was born in Florence, and 
invited to England by the Protector Somerset atd Archbishop Cranmer. ‘In 
the year 1548; he was made regits professor of divinity at Oxf and, in 
1550, installed canon of Christ-church. His numerous works, which are 
in Latin, consist chiefly of commentaries on the scriptures, and pieces on | 
eoutroyersy. On the accession of Queen Mary, and the commencement of © 


Persecution, he desired to withdraw, and died at Zurich, November 12, 
§62.—Granger’s Biog. Hist. yol.i, p. 141. 


P44 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


could not help frankly acknowledging they were of a very 
different nature. from the wire-drawn proofs and strained 
interpretations, in which he had hitherto acquiesced. . The 
disputation, therefore, was soon over. Mr. Gilpin had too 
much honesty to defend suspected opinions. He yielded to 
the force of truth; and owned publicly, that he cenid net 
maintain what he undertook to defend ; aad therefore deter- 
mined to enter no more upon controversy, till he had 
gained that full information which he was aaxioas 
obtain.« , 
Mr. Gilpin thus by his opponent's arge- 
ments, the first step he took, after imploring divine assistance, 
was to commit to paper, the substance of the dispute. Also, 
he resolved to enter into a strict examination of the whole, 
but especially those points ia which he had found himeelf 
the most closely pressed. At the same time, he began with 
assiduity to examine the scriptures, and the writings 
of the fathers, with a icular view to the controversy 
betwixt protestants and papists. The first result of his 
inquiries, cooled his zeal for popery, and gave him a mare 
favourable opinioy of the doctrines of the reformation. In 
this unsettled state of mind, he communicated his thoughts 
to his friends, and particularly to Tonstal, bishap of 
Durham, who was his mother’s uncle, and his great friend. 
The advice he received induced him to examine the scrip- 
tures and the fathers with still greater attention; aad at last 
he became thoroughly convinced, that there were mumerous 
sore abuses and corruptions in the church of Reme, and that 
a reformation was highly necessary. _. | 
', Asan academic lite affords the greatest leisure for study 
Mr. Gilpin was resolved still to continue wholly employed 
in the pursuit of knowledge. He had too just a sense of 
the ministerial work, to rush upon it hastily, or to be 
pnacquainted with the qualifications requisite to the dis 
charge of it; and too mean an opinion of hiinself, to think 
he was yet possessed of them. He thought more leaxnjng 
was necessary in that controversial age, than he. had ye 
acquired. And his chief argument with his. friends, who 
were continually urging him to leave the univessity, was, 
that he was not yet sufficiently instructed in religion Kimselt 


* Peter Martyr was much concerned for Mr. ‘Gilpin’s welfare, aod used 
to say, be cared not much for his other adversaries; but for Gilpie, ‘whe 
spoke and acted like a maa of integrity, he was mach troubled. He there 
fore often prayed that God would convince him of his error, and convert 
him to the trath; which the Lord was pleased afterwards to do.=Jaliier’s 
Abel Redivivus, p. 358. 

a 


GILPIN. TS B45 


to teach others. The christian ministry, said he, was an 
. afduous-work, especially in those times ; and: protestantiom 
could net suffer more than by the rawness and inexperi 
of its teachers. These thoughts continued to attend him at 
Oxford till the thirty-fifth year of his age.. About this tisne, 
the viearage of Norton, ia the disocese of Durham, becoming 
void, his friends, with some difficulty, prevailed upon him 
to accept it. Accordingly, he was presented to this living 
in N ovember, #562. ut before he entered upon his 
i ant char @ was appointed to preach before King 
Edward at Greenwich. pee P Oe 
Mr. Gilpin was resolved on this occasion to censure the — 
prevailing avarice and corruptions with honest freedom, and 
ordered is sermon aecordingly. He began by | first 
addressing the clergy. He was sorry, said he, to observe 
- amongst them so manifest a neglect of their function. To 
get bengfices, not to take care of their flocks, was their great 
object. Half ef them were pluralists, or nonresidents, and 
such could never fulfil their charge. He was shocked, he 
said, to heay them quote human laws agaiast the word of 
God. Hf such laws did exist, they were the remains of 
pepery, and ought to be repealed... For while mens’ 
consciences would permit them to hold ‘as many livings as 
they could get, and discharge none, it was impossible th 
gospel could have any considerable success... . 
- From the clergy: he turned to the court; and observing 
the king was absent, he was obliged to introduce that part 
of his sermon, by saying, it grieved him to see those absent, 
who, for example’s sake, ought to have been. present. He 
had also lieard other preachers remark, that it was common 
for them to be absent. Business might, perhaps, be their 
excuse; but he could not believe that serving would 
ever hinder business. If he could, he said, he would make 
them hear in their chambers, However, he would speak to 
their seats, net doubting that what he said would be carried 
te them.—“‘ Yeu, great prince,” said he, “ are appointed by 
God te be the governor ofthis land; let methen here call upon 
you in behalf of your le, lt is in your power to redress 
them; and if you donot, the neglect must be accounted for. 
Take away dispensations for pluralitics and nonresidence, 
and oblige every pastor to hold only one benefice ; and, as 
far as you can, make every one do his duty. Your grace’s 
ere to look through the realm, would do more good than‘ a 
uéand preachers. The land is full ef idbe pastors. And 
how-can it be otherwise, while the npbility,- and: patrons ef 


36 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


livings, put in just who will allow them to take out most 
profit? It would be good, if your grace would send out 
surveyors, to see how benefices are bestowed. It is no 
wonder that your people are continually rising up in rebel- 
lion, when they have no instructors to tcach t theer 
duty. if some remedies be not applied to these evils, we 
are in danger of falling into more ignorance, su ition, 
and idolatry, than we ever were in while under the Bishop 
of tome. This must, indeed, be the case, if some proper 
methods be not taken to prevent it; for benefices are 
where so plundered and robbed by patrous, that in a li 
time no one will bring up his children to the church. - Its 
amazing to see how the universities are diminished within 
these few years. And I must tell your grace, that all these 
evils will be laid to your charge, if you do ndt exert your- 
self to prevent them. For my part, I will do my duty: I 
will tell your grace what corruptions and abuses 
and pray to God that he will direct your heart to amend 
em 29 


He next addressed the nobility and magistrates. He told 
them, that they all received their honours, their powers, and . 
their authority, from God, who expected they would make 
a@ proper use of such gifts; and would certainly call them to 
an account for the abuse of them. But he saw so much 
ambitious striving for these things at court, that he. was 
afraid they did not all consider them in their true light. 
He observed, that the spirit of avarice was crept in among 
them ; that the country cried out against their extortions; 
and that when the poor came to seek for justice in London, 
the great men would not see them; but their servants must 
first be bribed. Oh! said he, with what glad hearts and 
clear consciences might noblemen go to rest, after having 
spent the day in hearing the complaints of the poor, .an 
redressing their wrongs. For want of this, he said, they 
were obliged to seek their right among lawyers, who quickly 
devoured every thing they ‘had, and thousands overt term 
were obliged to return worse than they came.—“ Then,” 
said he, “let me call upon you magistrates, and put you in 
mind, that if the le are dcbtors to you for obedience, 
you are debtors to them for protection. If you deny 
this, they must suffer; but God will ‘assuredly espouse their 
cause against you. And now, if we search for the regt- of 
all these evils, what is it but avarice? This it is that maketh 
the bad nobleman, the bad magistrate, the bad pastag, the 
bad Jawyer.”—Having thus freely addressed his:audience, 


GILPIN, cS MT 


he concluded his sermon with a warm exhortation, that all 
would consider these things, and that such as found them« 
selves faulty would amend their lives.* 
Such was the manner in which Mr. Gilpin entered on the 
work of the ministry ; and such was the sense he had of the 
sincerity and faithtulness necessary to the proper discharge 
of it. Whatever appeared to be his duty, appeared also to 
be his interest ; and he was never swayed by hope or fear. 
He considered himself in some d chargeable with those 
vices of which he had the knowledge, if he failed to rebuke 
them. His plain dealing on this occasion was therefore well 
taken, and recommended him to the notice of many persons 
of the first rank. And Sir William Cecil presented him | 
-a general license for preaching. _ 
Soen after this, he repaired to his parish, and with 
becoming seriousness entered upon the duties of his function. 
Though he failed not occasionally to use the king’s license 
in other parts of the country, he considered his own parish 
as requiring his principal labours. He chiefly preached 
on practical subjects; and seldom touched on points of 
-controversy, lest by attempting to instruct, he should only 
mislead. Though he was fully resolyed against popery, he 
did not see protestantism in its clearest lights; and was. 
scarcely settled in some of his religious opinions. Hence by 
degrees he became extremely diffident, which gaye him great 
uneasiness. He thought he had engaged too soon in the 
work of the ministry; thet he ought .not to rest in giving 
chis hearers merely moral instructions; and that; as the 
country was oyerspread with popish errors, he did ill in 
pretending to be a teacher of religion, if he were unable to 
op those errors. : _ 7 
. Ehese thoughts made deeper impressions upon his mind 
every day; and being at length extremely unhappy, he 
wrote to Bishop Tonstal, then in the Tower, giving him an 
account of his situation. The venerable prelate advised 
Gilpin to provide a trusty curate for his parish, and to 
spend a year or two in Germany, France, and Halland; by 
which means he might haye an opportunity of conversing 
with men celebrated for learning, both papists and pro- 
testants. Mr. Gilpin having fong earnestly desired a 
conference with learned men abroad, was much pleased with 
the advice. And as to the expense, Tonstal observed, that 
his living would do something towards his maintenance, and 
© This sermon fs published with Carleton and Gilpin’s gfe of Bernard 
Mlipin, aad is the only thing he ever pablished, ” a 


$48 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


he would make up all deficiencies. This, however, did net 
remove the difficulty from his mind. Mr. Gilpin's views of 
the p'storal office were so correct, that he thought no excuse 
could justify nonresidence for so considerable a time as he . 
intended to be abroad. He, theretore, could net think of 
supporting himself with any part of the income of his living. 
Yet he was resolved to go abroad ; and if he stayed only a 
short time, he would rety ou the frugal management ef: the 
little money he possessed, and leave the rest to the bishop's 

nerosity. He accordingly rm signed his living, and set out 
‘for London, to receive his last orders from the bishop,-and 
to embark for the continent. 

The account of his resignation got to London before 
himself; and Tonstal, anxious for his kinsman to thrive in 
the world, was much concerned about it. “ Here are your 
friends,”’ said his grace, ‘* endeavouring to provide for you, 
and you are taking-every method to frustrate their endea- 
vours. But be warned; by these courses you will presently 
bring yourselt to a morsel of bread.” Mr. Gilpin begged 
the bishop would attribute what he had done toa scrapulous 
conscience, which would not permit him to act otherwise. 
“‘ Conscience!’ replied the hishop, ‘* why, you might 
have had a dispensation.”” ‘Will my dispensation,” an- 
swered Gilpin, ‘restrain the tempter, in my absence, from 
endeavouring to corrupt the people committed to my care? 
Alas! I fear it would be but an ill excuse for the. harm done 
to my flock, if I should say, when God shall call me to an 
‘account of my stewardship, that I was absent by dispensa- 
tion.” This reply put the bishop a little out of humour. 
But after his temper cooled, this instance of Mr. Gilpin’s 
integrity raised him still higher in the prelate’s esteem. 
Nevertheless, Tonstal would frequently chide him for his 
qualms of conscience, as he called them; and often told 
him, that if he did not look better to his own interest, he 
‘would certainly die a beggar.” , 

Before his departure, the bishop entrusted him with his 
“Treatise on the Eucharist, in manuscript, desiring him to in- 
‘spect the printing of it at Paris. Upon his arrival in Holland, 
-he travelled to Mechlin, to see his brother George, there 
. prosecuting his studies. Afterwards, he went to Louvain, 
‘resolving there to abide. He made frequent excursions to 
Antwerp, Ghent, Brussels, and other places, where he 
usually spent a few weeks with persons of reputation, both 
papists and protestants. But Louvain being the Pring Ps 
place for students in divinity, was his chief residence. Here 


some of the most celebrated divines on both sides of the 
question resided ; and the most important topics in divinity 
were discussed with great freedom. 

Mr. Gilpin’s first business was to get himself introduced 
fo men eminent for learning ; to whom his own address and 
attainments were no mean recommendation, and supplied 
the place of long acquaintance. He attended upon all 
public readings and disputations. He committed « every 
thing material to writing; re-examined all his own opinions; 
proposed his doubts to friends in private; and, in every 
respect, made the best use of his time. Hereby, he began 
to obtain more correct views of the doctrines of the re- 
formation; he saw things in a clearer and stronger light, 
and felt great satisfaction in the change he had made. 

Whilehe was thus prosecuting his studies, and making con- 
siderable improvement in useful knowledge, he was suddenly 
alarmed, together with numerous other protestants in those. 
parts, by the melancholy news of the death of King Edward, 
and the accession of Queen Mary. This news, however, | 
was attended with one favourable circumstance, which was, 
the release of Bishop Tonstal from the Tower, and his restora- 
tion to his bishopric.. Soon after, Tonstal finding a rich 
living vacant in his diocese, made the offer of it to Mr. | 
Gilpin; supposing that by this time he might have got 
over his former scruples. But Mr. Gilpin still continued 
inflexible in his resolution not to accept any benefice 
without discharging the duties of it. He, therefore, gave 
the bishop his reasons for not accepting his kind offer, in 
the following letter, dated from Louvain, November 22, 
1554: 

. Right honourable and singular good lord, my duty 
<¢ remembered in most humble manner. Pleaseth it your 
£ lordship to be informed, that of late my. brother wrote to 
“¢ me, that in any wise I must meet him at Mechlin; for he 
‘< must debate with me urgent affairs, such as could not be 
“dispatched by writing. When we met, I ‘perceived it 
“<¢ was nothing else but to see if he could persuade me to 
“ take.a benefice, and continue in study at the university ; 
“ which if I had known to be the cause of his sending for 
4¢ me, J should not have needed to interrupt my study to 
“meet him. For I have-so long debated that matter with 
. learned men, especially with the holy prophets, and most 

' ancient and godly writers since Christ's time, that I trust 
‘“.s0 long as.I have to live, never to burden my conscience « | 
. -$ with having a: bonofies, and lying from it.. My brother 


* 


250 - LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


«said, that your lordship had written to him, that: you 
“ would gladly bestow one on me; and that your lordship 
“ thought, and so did other of my friends, of which he 
«¢ was one, that 1 was much too scrupulous in that point. 
«© Whereunto I always say, if I be too scrupulous, as I 
“ cannot think that I am, the matter is such, that [ had 
“ rather my conscience were a great deal too strait, than a 
Ca little too large. For I am seriously persuaded, that I 
«shall neyer offend God by refusing to have a benefice, 
“and lie from it, so Jong as I judge not evil of others; 
‘Swhich, I trust, I shall not; but rather pray God daily, 
§¢ that all who have cures may discharge their office in his 
“‘ sizht, as may tend most to his glory and the profit of his 
“ church. He replied against me, that your lordship would 
‘¢ give me no beuefice, but what you would see disc 

‘© in iny absence, as well or better than I could discharge it 
“ myself. Whereunto I answered, that I would be sorry, 
“if I thought not that there were many thousands in 
« England, more able to discharge a cure than IJ find myself. 
“ And therefore 1 desire they may take both the cure and 
“the profits also; that they may be able to feed- both the 
‘‘ body and the soul, as I think all pastors are bounden. 
‘¢ As tor me, | can never persuade myself to take the proft, 
¢¢ and another take the pains: for if he should and 
* preach as faithfully as ever St. Austin did, yet I should 
“¢ not think myself discharged. And if I should strain my 
§* conscience herein, I strive with it to remain here, or in any 
$¢ gther uniyersity, the unquietness of it would not suffer 
“ me to profit in my study at all. 

‘‘T am here, at this present, I thank God, very well 

placed for study among a company of learned men, joining 


Sto the friers minors; having free access at all times to-a 


‘“‘ notable library among the friers, men both well learned 
‘Cand studious. Ihave entered acquaintance with divers 
«¢ the best learned in the town; and for my part was never 
«more desirous to learn in all my life than at present. 
«¢ Wherefore, I am bold, knowing your lordship’s singular 
‘¢ good will towards me, to open my mind thus rudely and 
“¢ plainly unto your goodness, most humbly beseeching you 
“to suffer me to live without charge, that I may study 
“ guietly. a 
‘¢ And whereas I know well your lordship is careful how 
“<I should live, if God should call your lordship, being 
“ now aged, I desire you will not let that care trouble you. 
“ For if | had noother shift, 1 could get a lectureship, I 


® know, shortly, either in this university, or at least in some 
‘© abbey hereby ; where I should not lose any time; and this 
“kind of life, if God be pleased, I desire before any 
‘‘ benefice. And thus I pray Christ always to have your 
<¢ lordship in blessed keeping. By your lordship’s humble 
“ scholar and chaplain, | , 
‘¢ Beenarp Giup.n.” 


The bishop was .not offended with this letter. The 
unaffected piety which it discovered disarmed all resent- 
ment, and led him rather to admire a behaviour, in which 
the motives of conscience shewed themselves so much 
superior to. those of interest. §* Which of our modern 
“ gaping rooks,” exclaims Bishop Carleton, “could endea- 
“‘ vour with greater industry to obtain a benefice, than this 
*¢ man did to avoid one!” Mr. Gilpin having got over this 
affair, continued some time longer at Louvain, daily im- 
proving in religious knowledge. And having remained 
about two years, he went to Paris; where his first care was 
. the printing of Tonstal’s book, which he performed entirely 
to the bishop’s satisfaction, and received his thanks for it. 

Mr. Gilpin having spent three years on the continent, 
was fully satisfied in all his former scruples. He was firmly 
convinced of the errors and evil tendency of popery ; and: of 
the truth and importance of the doctrines of the reformation. 
Therefore, in the year 1556, he returned to England, 
“though the persecutions of Queen Mary were carrying on 
with unabating fury. Tonstal received his kinsman. with 
great kindness; and soon after his arrival, gave him the 
archdeaconry of Durham, to which the rectory of Easington 
‘was annexed. He immediately repaired to his parish, 
where he preached with great boldness against the vices, 
errors, and corruptions of ‘the times; also, by virtue of his 
office as archdeacon, he took great pains to retorm the 
manners of the clergy. His free and open reproofs soon 
roused the malice of proud ecclesiastics, who used every 
method in their power to remove so inconvenient a person. 
It soon became their popular clamour, that he was an 
enemy to the church; a scandalizer of the clergy; a 
preacher of damnable doctrines ; and that if he was spared 
much longer, religion must suffer from the heresies he was 
daily propagating.» Indeed, a charge of heresy, consisting of 

* Mr. Gilpiu,-in a letter to his brother, makes the following observa- 
tion :—“* After I entered upon the parsonage of Easington, and began te 
‘¢ preach,” says he, “* I soo procured uiany mighty and grievous adversa- 
** sions fox that I preached agninst pluralities aad nouresidence. Some said, 


\ 


252 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


thirteen articles, was soon drawn up against him; and he 
was accused in form before the Bishop of Durham. Bat 
the bishop, who was much acquainted with the world, 
easily found a method of dismissing the cause, so as to 
protect his nephew, without endangering himself. The 
malice of his enemies, however, could not rest; and they 
created him so much trouble, and on account of the 
extreme fatigue of keeping both his places, he begged 
leave of thé bishop to resign either the archdeaconry or his 
parish. But the bishop observing that the income of the 
former was not a sufficient support without the batter, and 
that he was unwilling they should be separated, Mr. Gilpm 
therefore resigned them both. 
The bishop soon after presented him to the rectory of 
Houghton-'e-Spring, in the county of Durham. The living 
was valuable; but the duties of it were proportionably 
Kaborivus. The parish contained no less than fourtees 
villages; and the instruction of the people having been so 
exceedingly neglected, popery was arrived to its full 
growth of superstition. Scarcely any traces of true chris- 
tianity were mdeed left. Nay, what little remained, was 
even popery itself corrupted. Here all its idle ceremonies 
‘were carried to a greater extent than in most ether places, 
and were looked u as the very essentials of religt 
And how these barbarous people were excluded from all 
means of better information, appears from hence, that 
through the neglect of the bishops and the justices of peace, 
King Edward’s proclamations for a c of worship, had 
not been even heard of, in that part of the kingdom, at the 
time of his death» Such was the condition of the parish of 
Houghton, when first committed to the care of Mr. Gilpin. 
He was grieve! to see ignorance and vice so lamentably 
prevail; but he did not despair. He implored the assist- 
ance and blessing of God, and was much encouraged. The 
people crowded about him, and heard him with fron 
attention. They perceived him to be a very di 
teacher from those to whom they had been accustomed. 
After the acceptance of Houghton, Tonstal urged his to 
accept of a stall in the cathedral of Durham; telling him, 
that there did not exist the same objection against this as 
against the archdeaconry, it being altogether a sinecure; 
“ all who preached that doctrine became heretics soon after. Others found 
* great fault, for that I preached repentance and salvation by Christ; 


** and did not make whole sermons, as they did, about transubstantiation, 
* purgatery, holy-water, images, prayere to saints, and suck like.’ -- 


GILPIN. J! 253 


and that he could have no reasonable pretence for refusing 
it. But Mr. Gilpin resolving not (@ accept it, told the 
bishop, that by his bounty be had already ‘more wealth, 
than he was afraid, he could give a good account of. He, 
therefore, begged that he might not haye any additional 
charge; but that his lerdship would bestow his prefexment 
on some one who stood in greater need of it. | 
Mr. Gilpin now lived retired, and gave no immodiate 
offence to the clergy. The experience he had of their 
temper, made him more cautious not to offend them. He 
was, indeed, more cautious than he afterwards approved. 
For in future life he ofien taxed his behaviour, at this 
period, with weakness end cowardice. But all the caution 
e could use availed nothing. He was soon formally 
accused a secend time before the Bishop of Durham; who 
again found means te protect him. The malice of hig 
enemies, however, succeeded in. part. From this. time, 
Tonstal’s favour towards him visibly declined ; and to shew 
his dislike of heresy, and of his kinsman’s conduct, he 
struck him out of his will, t h he had before made him _ 
his executor. The loss gave Mr. Gilpin very little aneasi- 
ness. His heart was not set upon the things of this world. 
_It was no less than he expected, nor more than he had 
provided for. He was, indeed, sorry to see the bishop dis- 
gusted; and would have given up any thing, except his 
conscience, to have satisfied him. But a good conscience, 
he was assured, was the best friend in the warld; and he 
Was resalved not to part with that, to please any man upon 
_ His enemies, in the mean time, were not silenced. They 
were so exceedingly enraged by their second failure, that 
they caysed thirty-two articles, expressed in the strongest . 
terms, to be exhibited against him, before Bonner, bishop af 
London. Here they went the right way to work. Bonner 
was a man exactly suited to their purpose, nature having 
formed him fer an inquisiior. The fierce zealot at onoe 
took fire, extolled so laudable a concern for religion, and 
promised that the heretic should be at the stake in a fort- 
night. Mr. Gilpin, who was no stranger to the burnt 
zeal of the Bishep of London, received the account wi 
eat composure, and immediately prepared for martyrdom. 
‘Laying his hand on fhe shoulder of a favourite domestic, 
he maid “¢ At length they have prevailed against me. I am 
“¢ accused to the Bishop of London, from whom there will 
‘“‘ be no escaping. God forgive theix malice, and give me 


a 


~ 


254 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


« strength to undergo the trial.” He then ordered his 
servant to provide a ‘lo rment, in which he mi ht. go 
decently to the stake, and esired it might be got. ready 
with all expedition; ‘ for I know not,” said he, ‘* how 
« soon I may have occasion for it.”* As soon as he was 
apprehended, he set out for London, in expectation of the — 
fire and faggot. But on his journey to the metropolis, we 
are informed, that he broke his leg, which unavoidably 
detained him some time on the road. The persons con; 
ducting him, took occasion from this disaster maliciously to 
retort upon him a frequent observation of his, viz. ‘ That 
nothing happens to us but what is intended for: our good.” 
And when they asked him whether he thought his broken leg 
was so intended, he meekly replied, that he had no doubt 
of it. And, indeed, so it soon appeared in the strictest 
sense. For before he was able to travel, Queen Mary died, 
and he was set at liberty. Thus he again escaped out of 
the hands of: his enemies. 

Mr. Gilpin having obtained this providential deliverance, 
returned to Houghton through crowds of people, express- 
ing the utmost joy, and blessing God for his happy 

ease. The following year he lost his friend and relation 
Bishop Tonstal;+ but soon procured himself other friends. 
Upon the deprivation of the popish bishops, the Earl of 
Bedford recommended -him to the patronage of ‘ Queen 
Elizabeth, who offered him the bishopric of Carlisle; and 
according to Wood, he was much pressed to accept it.t 
The Bisho of W orcester, his near relation, wrote to him 

ressly for this pu , and warmly urged him to t 
the offer, declaring that no man was roe at for such kind 
of preferment.; After all, Mr. Gilpin modestly réfused. 
No arguments could induce him to act contrary to the 
dictates of his conscience. The accounts given us by 
Bishop Nicolson and Dr. Heylin of Mr. Gilpin's behaviour 
on this occasion, are extremely disingenuous: they both 
ascribe it to his lucrative motives. ‘The former intimates 
that the good man knew what he was about, when he 
refused to part- with the rectory of Houghton for the 
bishopric of Carlisle: the latter supposes that all his 


* Biog. Britan. vol. vii. Sap. p. 72. 
' + Bishop Tonstal was one of the politest scholars of the age, and & 
man of the most amiable character. He published a book, entitled De 
Arte Supputandi, which wag the first book of arithmetic ever printed in 
England, and passed through many editions.—Granger, vol. i p. 95. 
Athengw Oxon. vol. i, p. 593. . 3 
é ‘Fuller’s Church Hist. b. ix. p. 63. ° 


... GILPIN. .. -_ 255 


scruples would have vanished, might he have had the. old 
temporalities undiminished. Both these writers seem to 
have been very little acquainted with Mr. Gilpin’s cha- 
racter. He considered his income in no- other light,. than 
that of a fund to be d for the public good. The 
bishop’s inginuation, therefore, is contradicted by every 
action in Mr. Gilpin’s life:.and Dr..:Heylin’s is most 
notoriously false, ;for the bishopric was offered him with 
the old temporalities undiminished.« - oe 
It is certain that Mr. Gilpin .was reckoned among the 
nonconformists of his time; and though he had several 
reasons for rejecting the offered preferment, that which 
prevailed most with him, was his disaffection to some 
points of conformity.+ It was his fixed opinion, that no 
uman invention should take place in the church, instead of 
a divine institution. The excellent Bishop Pilkington, 
who succeeded Tonstal at Durham, connived at his non- - 
conformity ; and excused him from subscription, the use of 
the habits, and a strict observance of the ceremonies.t But 
the bishop could sereen him only for a season.. For u 
the controversy about the habits, about the year 1566, he 
was deprived for nonconformity ;§ but it is extremely 
probable he. did. not continue long under the ecclesiastical . 
censure. The year after he was offered and nominated to 
the-bishopric of Carlisle, he was offered the provostship of 
Queen’s college, Oxford ; but this he declined also. His 
heart was set on ministerial usefulness, not ecclesiastical 
preferment. . so 
Mr. Gilpin continued many years at Houghton without 
further molestation, discharging all the duties of his function 
_in a most exemplary manner. When he first undertook 
the .care of souls, it was his settled maxim to do all the 
good in his power; and accordingly his whole conduct 
Was ‘one direct line towards this point. His first object 
was to gain the affections of his people. Yet he used no 
servile compliances: his means, as well as his ends, were 
good. His behaviour was free without Icvity, obliging 
withoyt meanness, and insinuating without art. He coa- 
descended to the weak, bore with the passionate, and com=- 
plied with the scrupulous. Hereby he convinced them 
ow much he loved them; and thus gained their high 
esteem. He was unwearied in the instruction of those 


one Biog. Britan. vol. vii. Sup. p. 72 - oe " 
+ M8. Remarks, p. 117. t Neal’s Puritans, vol. i. p. S45. 
§ Calamy’s Account, vol. i. Pref. . 


256 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


under his care. He was not satisfied with the advice he 
gave them in public, but taught them from house to house; 
and di is people to come to him with their doubts 
and difficulties. And even the reproofs which he gave, 
evidently proceeding from friendship, and given with gett- 
tleness, very seldom gave offence. Thus, with unceasi 
assiduity, he was employed in admonishing the vicious, 
encouraging the w -disposed. And in a few years, by 
the blessing of God upon his endeavours, a greater c 

was effected throughout his parish, than could have been 


ex . 

Mr. Gilpin continued to discharge the duties of his 
ministerial function in the most conscientious and laborious 
manner. Notwithstanding all his painful industry, and the 
lar scope of labour in his own parish, he thought the 
spiicre of his exertions were too confined. It grieved his 
righteous soul to behold in all the surroundisg parishes s0 
much ignorance, superstition, and vice, occasioned by the 
ghameful neglect of the clergy. The ignorance and public 
vices in that part of the country, were very remarkable. 
This appears from the injunctions of Archbishop Grindal 
in 1570; among which were the following :—< That no 
“ pediar shall be admitted to sell his wares in the church 
« porch in divine service.—That parish clerks shall be able 
‘¢ to read.— That no lords of misrule, or summer fords and | 
“ladies, or any disguised persons, morrice-dancers of 
‘¢ others, shall come irreverently into the church, or play 
“any unseemly parts with scoffs, jests, wanton 
“ or ribbaid talk, in the time of divine service.’’* Such was 
the deplorable condition of the people. ‘Therefore, to su 
as far as he was able, what was manifestly wanting in 
he used regularly every year to visit the most 

i in Northamberland, Westmoreland, C 
and Yorkshire: and that his own people might not suffer, 
he was at the expense of keeping an assistant. Even im 
those wild parts of the country, he never wanted an 
audience ; and was the means under God of rousing many 
to a sense of religion, and the great importance of ther 
salvation. . 

There is a tract of country on the borders of Northumber> 
land, called Reads-dale and Tyne-dale; which, of ali other 
places in the north, were the most barbarous. Jt was 
inhabited by a kind of desperate banditti, who lived chiefly 


* Biog. Britan. vol. vii. Sup. p. 73. ? 


GILPIN. O57 


by plunder. In this wretched part of the country, where 
no oné would éyen travel if he could avoid it, Mr. Gilpin 
never failed to spend some part of the year, labouring for 
the good of their souls. He had fixed places for preaching, 
and punctually attended. If he came where there was a 
church, he made use of it; but if there were none, he used 
to preach in barns, or any other large buildings, where great 
crowds of People were sure to attend. In these itinerating 
excursions, his labours were always very great, and he often 
endured the most amazing hardships. 

- This excellent servant of Christ sometimes gave incon- 
testible evidence of his firmness in reproving the vices of 
the greatest as well as the poorest. Having at one time 
made the requisite preparations for his journey to Reads- 
dale and Tyne-dale, he received a message from Dr. Barns, 
bishop-of Durham, appointing him to preach a visitation 
sermon on the following sabbath. He therefore acquainted 
thé bishop with his engagements, and the obligation he was 
under to fulfil them, begging his lordship at that time to 
excuse him. As the bishop returned no answer, he con- 
cluded that he was satisfied, and set out on his journey. 
But, upon his return, he was greatly surprised to find 
himselt suspended. After some time, he received an order 
to meet the bishop and many of the clergy, when the bishop — 
ordered Mr. Gilpin to: preach before them. He pleaded 
- his suspension, and that hé was unprepared ; but the bishop 
immediately took-off his suspension, and would admit of no 
excuse. Mr. Gilpin then went up into the pulpit, and 
preached upon the high charge of a christian bishop. In 
the sermon, after exposing the corruptions of the clergy, he 
beldly addressed the bishop in these words :—‘ Let not 
“ your lordship say, that these crimes have been committed 
¢ by others, without your knowledge; for whatever cither . 
& yourself shall do in person, or suffer through your con- 
“ mivance to be done by others, is wholly your own. 
“ Therefore, in the presence of God, angels, and men, I 
“4 pronounce you to be the author of all these evils. Yea, 
“and in’ that strict day of general account, I will be a 
<5 witness to testify against you, that all these things have 
“ ceme to your knowledge by. my means; and all these 
“6 mén shall bear witness thereof, who have heard me speak 
6 to you this day.” 

- “his great freedom: alarmed all who wished well to Mr. 
Gilpin. They said, the bishop had now got that advantage 
over him which his enemies had long sought to obtain. And 

VOL. I. $ 


258 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


when they expostulated with him, he said, “ Be not afraid. 
The Lord God ruleth over all. If God may be glorified, 
and his truth propagated, God’s will be done concerning 
me.” Thus be assured them, that if his discourse answer 
the purpose be intended, he was regardless what might befall 
himself. Upon his going to the bishop, to pay his compli- 
ments before he went home, the bishop said, ‘ Sir, I 
purpose to wait upon you home myself; and so accom- 
panied him to his house. As soon as Mr. Gilpin had 
conducted him into the parlour, the bishop suddenly turned 
round, and seizing him by the hand, said, “ Father Gilpin, 
“¢ J acknowledge you are fitter to be the Bishop of Durham, 
‘than I am to be the parson of your church. I ask 
“‘ forgiveness of past injuries. Forgive me, father. I know 
_« you have enemies ; but while I live Bishop of Durham, 

“ be secure: none of them shall cause you any further 
“ trouble.”’» 

The benevolence and hospitality of Mr. Gilpin were the 
admiration of all the country. Strangers and travellers 
found a cheerful reception at his house. All were weleome 
that came: and every sabbath, from Michaelmas to Easter, 
he expected to see all his parishioners and their families. 
For their reception, he had three tables well covered : the 
first for gentlemen, the second for husbandmen and farmers, 
and the third for the labouring poor. This kind of hospi-. 
tality he never omitted, even when losses or scarcity 
rendered its continuance rather difficult. He thought it 
was his duty; and that was a deciding motive. Even when 
he was from home, the poor were fed, and strangers enter- 
tained, as usual. Every Thursday throughout the year, a very 
large quantity of meat was dressed wholly for the poor ; and 
every day they had as much broth as they wanted. Twenty- 
four of the poorest were his constant pensioners. Four times 
in the year a dinner was provided for the poor in general, 
when they received a certain quantity of corn and a sum of 
money; and at Christmas they had always an ox divided 
among them. Whenever he heard of any persons in distress, 
whether in his own parish or any other, he was sure to 
relieve them. As he walked abroad, he frequently brought 
home with him poor people, and sent them away clothed as 
well as fed. He took great pains to acquaint himself with 
the circumstances of his neighbours, that the modesty of 
sufferers might not prevent their relief. But the money best 


* Wood says, that Bishop Barns was @ constant favourer of puritanicu, 


t 


—- Athene Oxon. vol, i. pe 607. 


"GILPIN. 259 


laid out, in his opinion, was that which encouraged industry. 
He took great pleasure in making up tbe losses of those who 
- were laborious. If a poor man had lost a beast, he would 
send him another in its room: or if the farmers had at any 
time a bad harvest, he would make them an abatement in 
their tithes. Thus, as far as he was able, he took the mis- 
fortunes of his parish upon himself, and, like a true 
shepherd, exposed himself for his flock. | 
In the distant places where he preached, as well as in his 
own neighbourhood, his generosity and benevolence were 
continually manifested, particularly inthe parts of Northum- 
berland where he preached. Upon the public road, he 
never passed an opportunity of doing good. He was often 
known to take off his cloak, and give it to a poor traveller. 
«¢ When he began a journey to those distant places,” it is 
said, “ he would have ten pounds in his purse; and at his 
coming home, would be twenty nobles in debt, which he 
would always pay within a fortnight after.” 
Among the many instances of Mr. Gilpin’s uncommon 
benevolence, was the erection and endowment of a public 
mmar school, His school was no sooner opened, than 
ut began to flourish ; and there was so great a resort of youn 
peop'e to it, that in a little time the town could not accom- 
modate them. “For the sake of convenience, however, he 
fitted up his own house, where he had seldom fewer than 
twenty or thirty children. The greater part of these were 
poor children, whom he not only educated, but clothed and 
maintained. He was also at the expense of boarding many 
poor children in the town. He sent many of his scholars to 
the university, and devoted sixty pounds a year to their 
‘support during their continuance there. The common 
allowance for each scholar was ten pounds annually ;' which 
to a sober youth was at that time a sufficient support. And 
he not only procured able teachers for his school, buttook ° 
‘a very active part himself in the constant inspection of it. 
To increase the number. of his scholars, one method which 
he used was rather singular. Whenever he met with a 
poor boy upon the road, he would make trial of his abilities 
y asking him questions; and if he was pleased with him, 
would provide for his education. Among those educated 
at‘his school, and sent to the university, were Dr. George 
Carleton, afterwards bishop of Chichester, who published 
‘Mr. Gilpin’s life; Dr. Henry Airay, and the celebrated Mr. 
Hugh Broughton. ' 
owards the close of life, Mr. Gilpin went through his 


262 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


man, be not discouraged ;- I'll let you have that horse of 
mine,” pointing at his servant’s.” ‘‘ Ah! master,” replied 
the countryman, ‘‘ my pocket will not reach such a beast as 
that.” <‘‘ Come, come,” said Mr. Gilpin, “ take him, take 
him; and when I demand the money, then shalt thou pay 
me;” and so gave him his horse. 

The celebrated Lord Burleigh being once sent into 
Scotland, embraced the opportunity on his return to - visit 
his old acquaintance at Houghton. His visit was without 
previous notice ; yet the economy of Mr. Gilpin’s house 


was not easily disconcerted. Ife received his noble guest ~ 


with so much true politeness, and treated bim and his whole 
retinue in so affluent and generous a manner, that the 
treasurer would often afterwards say, “he could hardly 
have expected more at Lambeth.” During his stay, he 
took great pains to acquaint himself with the order and 
regularity of the house, which gave him uncommon 
pleasure and satisfaction. This noble lord, at parting, 


embraced his much respected friend with all the warmth of . 


affection, and told him, he had heard great things in his 
commendation, but he had now seen what far exceeded all 
that he had heard. “If Mr. Gilpin,” added he, “1 can 
“¢ ever be of any service to you at court or elsewhere, use 


mile from Houghton, and commands the vale, he turned 
his horse to take one more view of the place, and havi 


fixed his eye upon it for some time, he broke out into this — 


‘exclamation: ‘ There is the enjoyment of life indeed ! 
« Who can blame that man for refusing a bishopric? What 
“ doth he want, to make him greater, or happier, or. moré 
“ useful to mankind ?”’* 


Dr. Richard Gilpin, an excellent and useful divine, ejected 


by the Act of Uniformity in 1662; and Mr. William . 


~ © me with all freedom, as one on whom you may de da 
When he had got upon Rainton-hill, which rises about a 


~ 


Gilpin, author of “ The Lives of eminent Reformers,” were 


both descendants of Mr. Gilpin’s family.+ 


Joun Coppinc.—This unhappy man was minister near | 


Bury St. Edmunds, a zealous puritan of the Brownist per- 

suasion, and a most painful sufferer for nonconformity. In 

the year 1576, he was brought into trouble by the commis- 
* Biog. Britan. vol. vii. Sup. p. 75. | 


tener Noncon, Mem. vol, i. p. 388.—Granger’s Biog. Hist. vol. i. 
p- e . . 


COPPING. 968 


sary of the Bishop of Norwich, and committed to prison at 
Bury. He is said to have maintained the following 
opinions : “ ‘That unpreaching ministers were dumb dogs.— 
hat whoever keeps saints’ days, is an idolater.—That 
the queen, who had sworn to keep God’s law, and set forth 
God’s glory, as appointed in the scriptures, and did not - 
perform it, was perjured.’’ And it is added, that for the 
space of six months, he had refused to have his own child 
baptized; ‘ because,” he said, ‘‘ none should baptize his 
child who did not preach ;” and that when it was baptized, 
he would have neither godfathers nor godmothcrs. These 
were the great crimes alleged against hin! Mr. Copping 
having for these offences remained in prison two years, and 
still retusing to conform; December 1, 1578, he underwent 
an examination before Justice Andrews, when the above 
false and malicious opinions, as they are called, were proved 
against him.* ‘The good man continuing steadfast to his 
principles, and still refusing to sacrifice a good conscience 
on the altar of conformity, was sent back to prison, where 
he remained nearly five years longer. What shocking bar- 
barity was this! Here Mr. Elias Thacker, another Brownist 
minister, was his fellow prisoner. The two prisoners having 
suffered this long and painful confinement, were indicted, 
tried, and condemned for spreading. certain books, said to 
be scditiously penned by Robert Brown against the Book 
of Common Prayer. The sedition charged upon Brown's 
book, was, that it subverted the constitution of the esta- 
blished church, and acknowledged her inajesty’s supremacy 
only in cici/ matters, not in matters ecclesiastical. The 
judges took hold of this to aggravate their offence to the 
queen, after they had passed sentence upon them, on the 
statute of 23 Eliz. against seditious libels, and for refusing the 
oath of supremacy. Having received the sentence of death, 
they were both hanged at Bury, in the month of June, 
1583. Such, indeed, was the resentment, and even the 
~ madness, of the persecutors of these two servants of Christ, 
that, previous to their death, all Brown’s books that could 
be found, were Collected together, and burnt before their 
eyes.t Under all these barbarities, the two champions for 
nonconformity continued immoveable to the last, and died 
sound in the faith, and of holy and unblemished lives. But, 
to hang men for spreading a book written against the church 


* Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. 582, 533. "+ Ibid. vol. ili. 


264 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


only, appeared extremely hard, especially at the very time 
when Brown himself was pardoned and set at liberty.. 


Tuomas UnpERDOWN was minister of St. Mary’s church 
in Lewes, in the county of Sussex, but was brought mto 
trouble for nonconformity. By a special warrant from 
Dr. Longworth, visitor to Archbishop Whitgift, dated 
November 18, 1583, he was summoned to appear in the 
ecclesiastical court at Lewes.» Upon his appearance in 
the court, he was immediately required to subscribe: to 
Whitgift’s three articles. He signified his readiness to 
subscribe to the first and third of those articles, but, 
hesitating about the second, he was immediately suspended. 
At the same time, Mr. William Hopkinson, vicar of Sale- 
burst, Mr. Samuel Norden, minister of Hamsey, Mr. 
Thomas Hely, minister of Warbleton, with many others in 
the same county, were cited and suspended, for 
subscription, though their refusal was not out of contempt, 
but because to them some things appeared doubtful.t+ 

These ministers having received the ecclesiastical censure, 
ventured to lay their case at the feet of the archbi . 
They appeared before his grace at Lambeth, December 5b, 
m the same year; when they entered upon the following 
conference : a 
- Underdown. We are become suitors to your lordship, 
out of the diocese of Chichester, being urged thereunto by 
the hard dealing of Dr. Longworth; who hath suspended 
us from the exercise of our functions, for not subscribing 
to certain articles, pretended to be sent by your lord- 
ship; and to‘request your favour to be released from the 
same. 


* Dr. Longworth sent the following warrant or citation to all the 
ministers within the archdeaconry of Lewes, requiring them to appear 
before him :—‘* These are to command you in her majesty’s name, to 
“* appear personally in St. Michael’s charch in Lewes, the 20th day of this 
‘* present November, between the hours of eight and ten o’cloek in the 
** forenoon, then and there to perform all such duties and injunctions, as I 
*¢ am to impose upon you, from the Archbishop’s grace of Canterbury, as 
“* appeareth by a special letter directed to me in that behalf. Fail you 
** not hereof, upon pain of the law which will necessarily ensue upon the 
*‘ default which you shall commit in these premises. From Lewes, 
* November 18, 1583. 2 

‘< Signed your loving friend, , 
‘* Jouw LoncworTs.”” 


MS. Register, p. 396. 
#+ Ibid. p. 395, 396.—Btrype’s Whitgift, p. 128, 128, 


_UNDERDOWN. . 265: 


. Archbishop. I am so far from releasing you from your sus- 


pensions, that I declare it to have been orderly done; and 
approve and justify the same, and shall further proceed 
against you unless you subscribe. | 

Uz My lord, we. have ‘subscribed to the first and third 
articles, but desired respite for the second. And though we 


have used the Book of Common Prayer, so far as concerned - 


our ministry, we cannot with a good conscience, subscribe 
to every particular in that book.. 


A. Jf you use that to which you will not subscribe, you ’ 


dissemble. And how much respite would you have, after 
the-exercise of twenty-five years ? Se 
U. Every thing in the book doth not pertain to our 
ministry ; and-in some things we are left to our liberty ; 
but this subscription bindeth us to give our full consent to 
the whole, and thus abridgeth us of the liberty which the 
book alloweth. 
A. What do you dislike in the Book of Common 
Prayer? 
U. We do not say dislike, my lord; but there are many 
things doubtful, and about which we are not yet resolved. 
A. What are the points doubtful, which you wish to 
chave resolved? I will endeavour to satisfy you, if you will 
be satisfied. | BO 
U.. We desire to know what book your lordship would 
have us to subscribe unto. For there are many copies, 
which differ in many points of great weight; and those 
which have been printed last, have most declined to super- 
stition. | 7 
- A. I mean the book which is now used for divine service 
and administration of the sacraments in the church of 
England. | | | 
. That is not the book established by law, according to 


1 Eliz., but differeth in more points from the book of 5 


Edward VI. than the law of the land alloweth. 
_ A, And what is the difference ? | a 
U. They differ in the following points and some others : 
The kalenders are not the same; the first lessons on all 
saints’ days are appointed out of the apocrypha: the kalender 
appoints the saints’ eves to be observed by fasting : it putteth 
in the popish saints: it prescribeth a number of holy-days: 
and it omitteth the advertisement after the communion, tp 
avoid the popish adoration in kneeling at the sacrament. 
A. The kalenders-are not.of the substance of the bogk. 
U. They form a principal part of the book, and havea 


= 


266 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


chief interest in the directions there given: and the statate 
calleth it a part. . 

A. What other doubts have you which you wish to be 
resolved ? | 

U. The book prescribeth certain parts of the apocrypha 
to be read in public worship, which contain gross errors, 
both in doctrine and practice; and leaveth out some parts 
of canonical scripture. 

A. All the apocrypha is not appointed to be read, but 
those parts which are most edifying. And the ancient 
fathers permitted them to be read in the church. 

U. Not some detached parts only, my lord, but whole 
books are appointed. 

A. What errors in doctrine and practice do they contain? 

U. Raphael maketh a lie, Tobit vy. 15. 

A. If this be a lic, then the angels licd to Abraham, by 
seeming to have bodies and to eat, when they had no bodies 
and aid not eat: And Christ, when he scemed to intend 
going farther than Emmaus: And God, when he destroyed 
not Ninevah. 

U. The cases are not alike.—Again, the devil is said to 
have loved Sara, Tobit vi. 16., which is fabulous. 

A. Is it strange to you that the devil should love men 
and women? Do you think the devil doth not love? 

U. In Ecclesiasticus xlvi. 20. it is said, that Samuel 
preached after he was dead. 

A. It is controverted whether this were Samuel or some 
evil spirit. | 

U. What writers are of this opinion? 

A. What point of faith is it to believe it was Samuel ? 

U. A principal point, my lord; for Rev. xiv. 13. it is 
said, that the souls of the righteous are in the hands of 
God, and rest from their labours; which is not true, if 
they be at the call of a witch or sorcerer, to do those 
things which while they lived, they would not have done: 

A. Cannot the Lord dispense with them, and allow them 
to come, being called? , 

U. He dispenseth with things according to his word. 
And, surely, he would not condemn such abominations, and 
encourage them. 

A. It is no matter whether we believe the one or the 
other. What is your next error? Ate there any other 
faults in the apocrypha? 

U. There are many others, which at this tine’ we 
remember not. : oS 


UNDERDOWN. = — 96T 


A. Is there an y other reason why you will not subscribe 
io the Book of Common Prayer ? 

U. Yes, my lord, there are many others. For if we | 
subscribe to the book, we must subscribe to the massing 
apparel : as copes, vestments, tunicle, &c. 

A. Whatever you are discharged from by any article or | 
punction, you are not required to subscribe unto it in the 

k 


U. Who then shall interpret how far our subscription 
shall extend ? | 

A. That will I and the other bishops do, who know best 
what the book and subscription meaneth. 

U. But, my lord, we dare not subscribe without protesta- 
tion. 

A. I will have no protestation. You are not called to | 
rule in this church of England; and you shall not rule, but 
obey. And unless you subscribe, you shall have no place 
in the ministry. Is there any other thing which hindereth 
your subscription ? 

U. The rubric requireth that after the reading of the 
Nicene creed, an homily shall be read, either one already 
set forth by public authority, or hereafter to be set forth ; 
and we think it is absurd to subscribe to the use of things 
not yet published. . 

A. You need not trouble yourself about that. Have you’ 
any thing else? 

U. If wesubscribe, we must subscribe to private baptism, — 
Go the baptism of women, directly contrary to the word of ~ 


A. Though baptism were unlawfully performed, yet 
being once performed, it is not to be repeated; and seeing 
it has the seal of the prince, it may not be condemned, 
though not performed by an ordinary minister. 

We acknowledge the necessity of baptism, and that 
he who administereth it, does not make the sacrament better ; 
yet from the words of Christ, “ Go teach and baptize,” it. 
appears that he who administers this sacrament should 
be a minister of the word. _ 

A. Whosoever shall say it is of the substance of’ the © 
sacrament, that he who baptizeth must be a minister, I will 
proceed against him as an heretic. I say, moreover, it is 
not lawful for women to baptize; yet if they do baptize, — 
their baptism is valid, and ought not to be set aside. my 

U. Seeing the sacrament is not saving, but the seal of 
God's promises, there is no need of them to baptize. 


268 LIVES OF THE PUSITANS. 


A. if I had a child dying without baptism, I should be 
doubtful of its salvation. 

U. We think, my lord, that it is not the want of baptism, 
but the contempt o it, and that not of his friends, but the 

himeelf, that doth condemn. Yet we believe and 
teach the lawfulness and necessity of childrens’ baptism, and 
that it ought to be performed by ministers. 

A. The book doth not speak of women; and it is called 
private because of the place, not the persons. 

U. The circumstances of it can it of no other sense, 
For it may be administered when there is not time to say 
the. Lord’s prayer. 

. There may not be so much time after the minister is 
come. 

U. We know that the baptism of a certain nobleman by 
the midwife was allowed and defended by the Book of 
Common Prayer. . 

A. You should have complained of this abuse, that the 
parties might have been punished. 

. U. Your lordshi ip knoweth the o pinion of most persons 
npon this point, and that they practise accordingly. 

A. It is not the fault of ihe book, if in this case it be 
misunderstood. 

U. The practice was condemned in the convocation, 
when your lordship was prolocutor. 

. True: and you are to take away the superstition 
attached to it, by preaching against it—Have you any. other 


thin v. to mention ? 
one object against private communion. 
indeed! Do you not think it lawful for twe 


to somatic alone? If there were only two persons 
together in time of persecution, or in a wilderness, or in the 
world, would you have them not to communicate ? 

DU. Such communion, if the church were there, would 
not be private. But we live in a time of gospel light and 
peace; therefore, the communion which your lordship 
defendeth, savours too much of the popish housel. 

A. The minister is not compelled to do it, but only 
suffered if he will. 

U. But if we subscribe, we must subscribe unto. this as 
® convenient order appointed by the book. We have 
many other things; but we fear to be tedious. There are 
many others who are suspended, and are waiting yonr 
lordship’s pleasure. 

hy did they not. all come? I would have endéa- 


UNDERDOWN.: .. bi] 


vouréd to satisfy them. ‘You seem to be sobet and discreet 
men. I would not have you depend on any vain fancies; _ 
but be ruied and enjoy your places, ‘which, without this 
subsc ‘ption, you shall not hold. , 
_ U.- If our ministry have been useful f6. souls, we thank 
God for .#; and awe desire to keep our places, if it may be 
done with peace of conscierce. | 

‘Hely. ff we may subscribe with a good conscience, itis 
what we desire. But, my lord, if we subscribe to the 
book, do we not subscribe to the translation of the Bible, 
which the book appointeth to be read? That translation is 
faulty and incorrect in many places. 

A. -Mention some place, 
: H. In the Psalms.* 

The first day’s conference thus broke off; but by ofder 
ef the archbishop, they all attended the next morning ; 
when they appeared before the archbishop, the bishops of 
London, Salisbury, and Rochester, and the dean of West 
thinstér. The archbishop having rehearsed the substance of 
what had passed the preceding day, with some enlar 
ment upon the devil’s loving women, the, Bishop of London 

ke as follows : | . 

Bishop. If you had read either divinity or philosophy, 
it: would not be strange to you that the devil should love 
women. | | 

U. My lord, we have not learned any stich divinity. 
' A. You must subscribe, It will be much to your. ad- 
vantage. 

Hopkinson. We cannot subscribe, my lord, without pro- 
testation. And we have not so far examined every point, 
that we can subscribe at present, therefore we desire longer 


ite. 
- B. What respite would you have, after the use of the 
book twenty-five ‘years? if you be not skilful in the 
knowledge of it, in so long a time, it seems as if you had 
rot used it much. - | 
. Hopk. There are many things in the book which belong 
not to us, or to our ministry, therefore we desire favour in 
this subscription. | 
A. You shall subscribe or you shall enjoy no place in 
the ministry. And because you are the first who have 
been thus far proceeded against, in this case, you shall be 
made an example to all others. — Oy oo, 


© MS. Register, p. $397—401. 


, 270 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Hopk. If your lordship will deal thus hardly with us, 
Wwe must give up our places. 

A. If you do give them up, I can furnish them with as 
sufficient men as you are, and yet conformable. 

B. Rochester. There are many learned men who are now 
in want of livings. These will fill up their places. 

A. You of Sussex have been accounted very disorderly 
and contentious; and her majesty hath been informed. of 
you: and I mean to proceed strictly with you. 

U. My lord, the ministers of Sussex have been as well 
ordered as any in the kingdom, until one Shales came 
among them, and broached certain points of popery and 
heresy, which hath been the cause of all those troubles. 

A. lt would have been a wonder, if you had not been 
quiet, seeing you have all done as you pleased, without the 
least controul: the devil will be quiet so long. Why do 
you not accuse the man ? and you shall see how I will deal 
with him. 

' B. Roches. What were his points of popery and heresy ? 
. U. My lord hath been informed of these things already. 
, A. 1 remember you found fault yesterday with holy- 


days. . 

B. Have we not as good reason to maintain the holy-days 

established by law, as you have to make them when you 
ease ? | 

Hopk. We make no holy-days. 

. B. What do you else, when you call the people together 
unto sermons on working-days? . 

Hopk. When we have sermons, the people go to work 
before sermon, and return to work after sermon, as on other 
days: but to do this on the holy-days, they might be pre- 
sented and punished, as hath been lately witnessed. 

A. I see whence you have most of your doubts. Mr. 
Cartwright and I might have been better employed, espe- 
cially he, who began the contest. If you have any more 
doubts, propose them now, seeing there are so many of the 
bishops to answer them. 

H. Inthe rubric before confirmation, salvation is ascribed 
to baptism. For whosoever is baptized, is said to be 
undoubtedly saved. 7 

A. Is there any such thing in the book ? 

H. Yes, my lord, those are the words. 

* This statement is incorrect. Mr. Cartwright did not begin the con- 


test; but Whitgift himself engaged first in the controversy.—See Art. 
Cartwright. 


. UNDERDOWN. 271 


A. Let us see the book. . 
Hartwell. They are the last. words of the rubric. 
A. The meaning of the book is to exclude the popish 
opinion of confirmation, as if it were as necessary as baptism. 
Therefore, those who have been baptized have all outward 
_ things necessary to salvation, even without confirmation. 

H. The words may be taken in another sense, and, there- 
fore, may not be subscribed without some deliberation. 

Dean. I wonder you do not subscribe, seeing there is 
nothing in the second article which is not in the third, and 
you are willing to subscribe the third. 

U. We have subscribed to the third already ; and seeing 
all things contained in the second are contained in the third, 
we desire you to be satisfied with that subscription. 

Not so. 

Norden. How do your lordships understand these words, 
“ Receive the Holy Ghost, for the office of a priest?” 

A. Not imperatively, but optatively ; and this speech is 
much the same as that other, “ I baptize thee,” &c. 

B. We cannot give the Holy Ghost. 

B. Roches. Do you not think, that when we use these 
words, we do communicate something ? ? 

U. I think not, my lord. For persons return from you 
no better furnished, than when they came unto you, if we 
may form our opinion from their practice. 

- We hope you are now resolved, and will now sub- 
scribe. You are unlearned, and only’ boys in comparison 
of us, who studied divinity before most of you were born. 

U. We acknowledge our youth, my lord, and have no 
high opinion of our learning. Yet we hold ourselves 
sufficiently learned to know and teach Jesus Christ, as the 
way of salvation. 

opk. If we subscribe under such interpretations, our 
subscription may become dangerous to us hereafter, when 
no interpretation may be allowed ; therefore, we desixe 
some protestation. - | 

. A. [will admit no protestation. 

‘, Dean.. Come, Mr. Hopkinson, subscribe. My lord will 

favour -you much, and help you against your ad versaries. 
~ | JHopk..We must be better advised, Mr. Dean.: 
"A? Go into the garden, or elsewhere, and consider. of this 
matter, and return here 

Thean divines - ‘Tetised for some time, after con- 


t. 


° elves, they retwmed and consented 


372 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


to subscribe, on condition that their subscription should 
not be required to any thing against the of God, or 
contrary to the analogy of faith; and that it should not be 
extended to any thing not already containcd in the Book of 
Common Prayer. Also, to avoid all cavilling, Mr. Under- 
down protested, that the book of consecration did not 
to them, and that they could not subscribe to it; yet he 
acknowledged the ministry of the charch to be lawful. To 
these conditions the archbishop and bishops ; and the 
ministers accordingly subscribed. Aft » Mr. Under- 
down having requested that the cross in baptism might not 
be urged, the conversation was briefly renewed, as Ws : 
A. You must use the cross, or the statute will reach 


ou. 
7 Hopk. Because it is intended as a significant sign, and is 
a new mystery in the church, we take it to be contrary to 
the second commandment. 

A. Remember, it is required in the rubric. 

N. }tseemeth hard that the child must be asked whether 
it believe, and will be baptized. 
' A. The child is not asked, but the godfathers. 

N. The godfathers and hers are several ; therefore, 
pina were the meaning of the beok, the number should be 


U. There are in our county many more of our brethren. 
suspended for not subscribing. We beseech you that they 
may enjoy the same benefit, if they- will subecribe as we 
have done. 

A. I am content. 

B. Roches. Ae there any more who have refused ? 

U. Yes, my lord; there are above twenty in all. 

B. Are there so many in your county ? 

German. There are some who have subscribed, and are 
greatly troubled in mind for what they have done. What 

you think they had best do? 

. Let them come to me, and I hope to satisfy thems 

In the conclusion of the above conference, Mr. Under- 
down and his brethren were dismissed, when they returned 
home; and December 11th, being assembled in open court 
at Lewes, they were publicly re from their -suspen- 
deus, where the business ended. 


* MS. Register, p. 401406. 


SANDERSON.  ' ' 273 


Mr. SANDERSON was minister at Lynn: in Norfolk, and 
troubled for his nonconformity. In the year 1573, he was 
charged, together with the people of the town, with havin 
impugned the Book of Common Prayer. This was, indeed, 
asad crime in those days.* February 8th, in that year, the 
following articles were exhibited against him in the eccle- 
siastical court : | 

1. “ That he had called the curate of the place, a dumb 
dog, and.a camelion priest. 3 

2. ‘* That he said the curate would not say the morning 
prayer, but would bid the popish holy-days, and say the 
popish service (meaning the common prayer) for those days. 

.3. *% That, January 17th, he declared in the pulpit, that 
they who formerly employed their labours, and their goods, 
for the benefit of their poor and afflicted brethren, were now 
become judges over them; they sat in judgment upon 
them; and, like the Galatians, had received another gospel. 

4. *“ That he exhorted the people to pray unto God, to 
change the heart of the queen’s majesty, that she might set 
forth true doctrine and worship. 

5. ° That he said the apostle Paul would have contention 
for the truth, rather than suffer any inconvenience to enter 
into the church of God. 

6. “ That, January 24th, he said, that if either bishops, 
deans, or any others, or even an angel from heaven, preached 
any other doctrine than that which he then preached, they 
should hold him accursed, and not believe him. | 

7. “ That he called the appointed holy-days, Jewish 
ceremonies; and the churching of women, he ewith purifica-' 
tions ; and said, that many persons made the queen’s laws 
their divinity. | : : 

8. ‘* That, February 7th, he said in his sermon, that 
unpreaching and scandalous ministers were one principal . 
occasion of the present dearth.’’ + 

Upon the examination of Mr. Sanderson, though we do 
not find what penalty was inflicted upon him, one Francis 
Shaxton, an alderman of the place, accused him of having 
delivered these opinions and assertions in two of his sermons, 
and even said he heard: them, when, in fact, he was in © 
London at the very time when the sermons were preached. 


* ** On Christmas-day last,’’ says the Bishop of Norwich, in his letter 
to Archbishop Parker, “ some of the aldermen went to church in their 
scarlets,and some would not; some opened their shops, and some shut them 
up; some eat flesh on that day, and others eat fish.”” Surely, then, it was 
high time to punish these rebellious people !—Strype’s Parker, p. 462.. 

+ MS. Register, p. 191. 

VOL. I. T 


Oh LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


In the year 1583, Mr. Sanderson’s name is among those of 
the Norfolk divines, being upwards of sixty in all, who were 
not resolved to subscribe to Whitgift’s three articles.» 


Joun Hitt was minister at Bury St. Edmunds, and, for 
omitting the cross in baptism, and making some trivial 
alteration in the vows, was suspended by the high commis- 
sion. Not long after receiving the ecclesiastical censure, 
he was indicted at the assizes for the same thing. Upon 
his appearance at the bar, having heard his indictment read, 
he pleaded guilty. Then said Judge Anderson, before 
whom he appeared, what can you say that you should not 
suffer one year’s imprisonment ?+ Mr. Hill replied, ° the 
law hath provided that I should not be punished, seeing I 
have been already suspended for the same matter, by the 
commissary.” Upon this, the judge gave him libetty to 
produce his testimonial under the hand and seal of the 
commissary, at the next assizes. Accordingly, at the next 
assizes, his testimonial was produced and read in open court, 
when his discharge as founded thereon according to law 
being pleaded by his counsel, he was openly acquitted and 
dismissed. : 

Notwithstanding his public acquittance in open court, at 
the Lent assizes in 1583, the good man was summoned again 
by the same judge, and for the same crime. When he appeared 
at the bar, and heard the charges brought against himeelf, 
he greatly marvelled, seeing he had been already discha 
of the same things. He was obliged to attend 
court many times, when being known to be a divine of . 
puritan principles, nothing more was done than he was 
always bound to appear at the next assize. At Tenge, 
however, the judge charged him with having comp 
of: their hard . And, surely, he had reason for 
- s0 doing. To this charge Mr. Hill replied, “I have 


* MS. Register, p. 436, ' 

+ Sir Edmund Anderson, lord chief justice of the common pleas, Was & 
most furious and cruel persecutor of the puritans. He sat Tn judgment 
upon Mary, Queen of Scots, in October, 1586; and the next year presided 
at the trial of Secretary Davison, in the star-chamber, for signing the 
warrant for the execution of that princess. His decision on that pin 
was, ** That he had done justum, non juste ; he had done what waar on 
** unlawful manner, otherwise he thought him no bad mau.” “Tidy was: 
excellent logic,” says Granger} ** for finding an innocent man gallty.. 


But 
upon the queen’s order, and no-order, he was Hing =e and hini ‘guilty, 
upon pain of being deprived of his office.” —Biog. vol. 1. p, 

AOE - 


J. HILL—N. BROWN. - 275 


spoken no untruth of your honours.” Anderson then shewed 
him the copy of a supplication, demanding whether he had 
not set his hand to it; and Mr. Hill answering that he 
thought he had, the angry judge said, “ we shewed you 
favour before in accepting your plea, but we will shew you 
ne more.” Mr. Hill then replied, ‘« I hope your lordships 
will not revoke what you have done, seeing you have 
‘discharged me of this matter already.” The judge then 
answered, “ that which we did, we did out of favour to 
you.” Here the business closed, and Mr. Hill was sent to 
prison, being charged with no other crime than that of 
which the same judge had acquitted him. He continued in 
prison a long time; but whether he was ever restored to his 
ministry, is very doubtful.» 


Nicnotas Brown, B.D.— This learned divine was 
fellow of Trinity college, Cambridge, and one of the 
preachers to the university, but dissatisfied with the disci- 

line of the national church. In the year 1573, he was 
- brought into trouble for two sermons which he preached in 
the university. For the erroneous and dangerous doctrines 
supposed to be contained in these sermons, he was several 
times called before the heads of colleges, and, after repeated 
examination, was kept for some time in a state of confine- 
- ment. Dr. Whitgift, afterwards the famous archbishop, 

was a leading n in these severe proceedings. 

Upon Mr. Brown’s appearance before his learned judges, 
he was required to retract his dangerous positions; which, at 
first, he utterly refused; but afterwards, it is said, he 
complied. These dangerous positions were contained in 
the two following articles: ‘‘ That in his two sermons, he 
uttered doctrine and reasons tending to infringe the order 
and manner of ‘creating and electing ministers, and the 

imen now used in the church of England.—And that no 
prices made in the time of popery ought to have any 

mnction in the church of England, except they be called 
afresh.”+ These doctrines, said to have been delivered in 
his sermons, contain all the crimes with which he was 
accused even by his enemies. He was, therefore, required 
to make the following recantation, in the place, and before 
the congregation, where he had delivered the sermons : 

«¢ Whereas, I preaching in this place, the Sunday before 


* MS. Register, p. 314. + Strype’s Parker, p. 301, $92. 


276 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. » 


‘¢ Christmas, and January 25, last past, was noted to hava 
<< preached offensively; speaking as well against the manner 
“ and form of making and ordering of ministers and deacons 
“in the church of England, as by law established : also, 
<< against such pricsts as were made in the time of King 
<¢ Flenry and Queen Mary, saying that they were not to be 
“ admitted into the ministry without a new calling. I now 
<< let you understand, that | never meant so. For I do here 
““ acknowledge and openly protest, that the manner and 
“‘ form of ordering ministers and deacons in the church of 
“< England, now established, is lawful and to be allowed. 
<¢ Also, that the priests made in the time of King Henry and 
“¢ Queen Mary, now allowed, and now exercising any 
function in the church, are lawful ministers of the word | 
‘“‘ and sacraments, without any new ordering, otherwise than 
“¢ is prescribed by the laws of this realm.’ 
r. Brown refused to comply with the above tyrannical 
requisition. He would not defile his conscience by dot 
that which was contrary to the convictions of his own mind. 
He considered it to be his duty to obey God, rather than 
men, though they were the spiritual rulers of an ecclesias- 
tical establishment. He was, therefore, detained in prison 
a considerable time, but afterwards obtained his release. 
Notwithstanding this, his troubles were not over. After 
his deliverance from prison, he was repeatedly convened 
before the vice-chancellor and heads of colleges. On one 
of these occasions, the vice-chancellor commanded him to 
deliver anothcr sermon in St. Mary’s church, on a particular 
day, and at the usual hour of public service, requiring him 
to read openly and distinctly a paper, which the vice- 
chancellor should deliver to him. He also charged him “to, 
accomplish the same humbly and charitably, without any 
flouting, girding, twisting, or overthwarting any man, and 
without using any words or gesture tending to the discredit 
of any person, or to the stirring up or maintaining of any 
contention or dissention.”+ That which the learned eccle- 
siastic delivered to him, and commanded him to read before 
ithe public congregation, was a kind of revocation of his 
opinions; but he remained inflexible, and would not comply 
with the tyrannical imposition.t 7 
, On account of the cruelty with which he was treated, he 
presented his distressing case to Lord Burleigh, the chans 
cellor, who warmly espoused his cause, and sent a letter to 


* Strype’s Parker, p. 391, $92.—Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. iv. p. 55, 56. 
t Ibid. vol. iii. p. 395, 396. t Ibid. p. 309, 400. ey, 


N. BROWN. OTT 


the vice-chancellor, dated June 26, 1573, in which his 
lordship wrote as follows :—‘* Mr. Brown was with me,” 
says he, “ five or six days past, to entreat me, that by my 
means to you and others, he might forbear the execution of 
,a certain order by you as vice-chancellor prescribed, te 
pronounce a certain declaratory sentence, in a sermon to be 
made by him now at the commencement. In which matter — 
{ had no disposition to deal; yet by the importunity of his 
sorrowful petition, and purpose not to offend in any such 
cause wherewith he hath been charged, I did with my pen 
write suddenly a few lines, to shew my inclination to have 
him favoured, and so dismissed him, Since which time, 
he is this day returned to me with a letter from Sir Thomas 
Smith, the queen’s majesty’s principal secretary, whereby 
you shall see how I am entreated to procure more favour 
for him. And yet without hearing you and others, who best 
know his cause, I dare not precisely require any alteration 
of your orders, but do recommend the party, who hath a 
good report, to be as favourably ordered, as he may find 
_ his repair to me hath in some measure relieved him, without 
hurting the public cause of good order.”* 

This pacific address from the treasurer proved ineffectual. 
The tyrannical vice-chancellor and his reverend colleagues 
refused to observe the generous instructions of the chan- 
cellor. Mr. Brown still remained under their ecclesiastical 
oppressions; and on account of the cruel usage he met 
with, he again laid his distressing case before Burleigh, 
July 6, 1573; but whether with any better success, we 
have not been able to learn.+ 
* The year following, a puritan divine of the same name, 
and no doubt the same person, was concerned in Undertree’s 
sham plot, when many letters were forged in his name. 
After examination, his innocence, with that of his brethren, 
was made openly and perfectly manifest. Upon Mr. 
Brown’s removal from the university, he became minister at 
Norton in Suffolk, where he was afterwards molested for 
nonconformity. For, in the year 1583, on the publication 
of Whitgift’s three articles, he refused subscription, and, 
with many others, was immediately suspended. How long 
he continued under the ecclesiastical censure, or whether 
he was ever restored, we are ynable to ascertain.§ 


* Strype’s Parker, vol, xxix. p. 871, 372.. 
+ Ibid. vol. iv. p. 56. 


| - $ Ibid. p. 466. 
§ MS. Register, p. 436, 437. 


278 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Ricwarp Crick, D.D.—He was chaplain to the Bishop 
of Norwich, and much commended for his Jearning and 
sobriety. In the year 1573, he preached at Paul’s cross; 
and having in his sermon commended Mr. Cartwright’s 
reply to Whitgift, a special messenger was sent from Arch- 
bishop Parker to apprehend him. Though at that time he 
escaped the snare, he afterwards fell into the hands of the 
high commissioners, by whom he was deprived of his pre- 
ferment in the church at Norwich.» 

Dr. Crick being silenced, and many of his brethren in 
the same diocese, they united in presenting a supplication 
to the council, that they might be restored to their beloved 
ministry, and allowed again to preach the glad tidings of 
the gospel. This supplication was dated September 2, 
1576 ; a further account of which is given in another place.+ 
Afterwards, he and many of his brethren, being the silenced 
ministers in that diocese, presented their humble submission, 
to their diocesan, dated Jagust 21, 1578. In this submis 
sion, they request to be restored to their ministry, promising - 
to subscribe to the articles of faith and the doctrine of the 
sacraments, according to the laws of the realm.. They 
profess, at the same time, that the ceremonies and goyern- 
ment of the church are so far to be allowed, that no man 
ought to withdraw from hearing the word and receiving 
the holy sacraments, on account of them. They also offer 
to the bishop, their reasons for refusing to subscribe, 
requesting to have their difficulties removed, without which 
they could never subscribe in the manner required.t Thi 
excellent divine, therefore, remained a long time undes 
deprivation. Though -he was afterwards restored to his 
ministry, yet, upon the publication of Whitgift’s three 
articles, he was again suspended, with many others, for 
refusing subscription.§ 


Antuony Gitsy.—This pious and zealous noncoa- 
formist was born in Lincolnshire, and educated in Christ's 
college, Cambridge, where he obtained a most exact know- 
ledge of the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages. He 
‘. constantly laboured to promote a further reformation; and 

having published his sentiments of the habits, ceremonies, 
and corruptions in the church, more openly than many of 

* Strype’s Parker, p. 42], 427. 


+ See Art. John More. t Ibid. 
§ MS. Register, p. 437. 


CRICK—GILBY, .'  . 279 


his brethren, he is represented by some of our historians, as 
a fiery and furious opposer of the discipline in the church. 
of England. | So 
Upon the accession of Queen Mary, and the commence- 
ment of her bloody persecution, he became an exile in a 
foreign land. He,was among the first who retired. to 
Frankfort, where he was. deeply involved in the troubles 
occasioned by the officious interference of Dr, Cox and his 
party. When the order of church discipline, highly 
esteemed by many, was presented to the whole congregation, 
and rejected by the zealous episcopalians, “‘ Mr. Gilby, with 
a godly grief, as was openly manifest, kneeled down. before 
them ; and with tears in his eyes, besought them to promote 
the desired reformation, solemnly protesting, that, in this 
matter, they sought not themselves, but the glory of God 
only : adding, that he wished the very hand which he then 
held up, might be- struck off, if godly peace and unity 
could thereby be promoted.’’+ Such was his truly génerous 
spirit; and such his fervent zeal for the peace and unity of 
the church! Upon the unkind usage at Frankfort, Mr. 
Gilby removed to Geneva. Afterwards, he united with his 
brethren in writing a letter to those who still remained at 
Fyankfort, defending. the lawfulness of their departure, 
against the slanderous reports of those who stigmatized them 
as schismatics. This letter, signe by og N persons, 
among whom was the famous Mr. John Fox, breathes 
most condescending, humble, and healing spirit.¢- During 
Mr. Gilby’s a at Geneva, he assisted Coverdale, 
ssmpeon, and other learned divines, in the translation of the 
e.g | 7 7 
.. After the accession of Queen Elizabeth, our divine 
returned from exile, and was greatly admired and beloved 
by all who sought a thorough reformation of the English 
church. He is, indeed, exceedingly reproached by several of 
our bigotted historians. Dr. Bancroft says, that Mr. Gilby, 
with the rest of the Geneva accomplices, urged all states by 
degrees, to take up arms, and reform religion themselves by 
force, rather than suffer so much idolatry and superstition 
to. remain in the land. Another peevish writer, with an 
evident design to blacken his memory, says, ‘‘ That in 
ébedience to John Calvin, the supreme head of Geneva, 


* Fuller’s Worthies, part ii. p. 167. 

+ Troubles at Frankeford, p.30..  : - t Ibid, p. 4%. 
§ See Art. Coverdale. ' 
§ Bancroft’s Dangerous Positions, p. 62. Edit. 1640. 


280 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


doth his dear subject and disciple Anthony Gilby, and 
others of that fraternity, shoot their wild-fire against the 
statutes of England; by which they shew their schism 
and madness, more than their christian prudence.”* This is 
wholly the language of misrepresentation and abuse. 

Notwithstanding these calumnies, Mr. Gilby enjoyed the 
favour of several of the nobility, men of excellent character 
and high reputation. The Earl of Huntington, who was his 
constant friend and patron, presented him to the vicarage of 
Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire; where, through the 
blessing of God on his ministry, he was made exceedingly 
useful. Here he obtained a distinguished reputation, 
when the worthy earl used to style him Father Gilby.t 
Bishop Hall, who probably had some acquaintance with 
him, F enominates him ‘a reverend and famous divine; 
and he is said to have lived at Ashby “as great as a bishop.” 
He was highly esteemed by some of the learned prelates, 
as well as many of the most celebrated divines of the 
with whom he held a friendly correspondence. The fol- 
lowing is the copy of a Ictter, which he received from the 
Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry :4 


“To my loving friend and brother in Christ, Mr. Gilby, 
“at Ashby. ; 
. With my hearty commendations to you Mr. Gilby. I 
“ received your letter but now and heretofore, to the which 
“‘ I proposed to have made some answer by this time; but 
‘¢ either lack of convenient messenger, or some other present 
“¢ business, have stayed; and, therefore, these are in few 
“ words to signify to you, that such reports as you have 
“© heard of me, touching Stretton, were untrue, (I thank 
<¢ Almi hty God) and so saying to my brother. Augustin 
“ added these words, that I marvelled much if you did 
“ judge as you wrote. Notwithstanding, I was not dis- 
‘ pleased with your writing, but accepted the same as — 
“ friendly and lovingly as 1 can any man’s writing. 
“Jt is plain that many enormities remain uncorrected, 
“ either for lack of knowledge thereof, or else through the 
“ corruption of mine officers, or otherwise through negli- 
“ gence or forgetfulness of myself; yet when I have proof 
“ of them, I either call the offenders myself, or charge mine 


* Foulis’ Hist. of Plots, p. 86. . 

+ Nichola’s Hist. of Leicestershire, vol. ii. p, 626. 

q Life of Bp. Hall prefixed to his Works. 
Baker’s MS. Collec. vo}. xxxii. p. 434. 


-GILBY. 981 


“ officers with the same. Concerning that evil man, Sir 
<¢ William Radish, I engage to have him called as soon as 
<< T can, to answer his doings and such sayings as . 
‘ Touching the person of Stretton, I will do that which 
‘¢ lieth in me to displace, for the which I have given charge 
‘< divers times to mine officers. I would not have my 
“¢ brother Dawberry to do any thing touching the same ; for 
*¢ the matter will not pass through at Lichfield. I will then 
«‘ send you word, and use your counsel. And thus omitting 
“all other matters, till we shall have occasion to meet 
“ together, I commit you and good Mrs. Gilby (whose — 
‘¢ health and happiness I wish) to the goodness of Almighty 
“ God; this 12 day of Nov. 1565. At Eccleshall-castle. 
‘ Your loving friend and brother in Christ, 
“ Tuomas Coven. and Lich Fie.p.” 


The above letter, justly deemed a curiosity, shews at, 
once the great intimacy and familiarity which subsisted 
betwixt Mr. Gilby and the bishop, and the high esteem and 
respect in which our divine was held by his learned diocesan. 
Mr. Gilby was a celebrated scholar, and a most profound 
and pious divine, and admirably qualified for the transla- 
tion of the holy scriptures. The famous Dr. Lawrence 
Humphrey, with whom he held a frequent correspondence, 
had the highest opinion of him. Several of the doctor's 
letters to Mr. Gilby are now before me, one of which, though 
very. short, it will be proper here to insert; which is as. 
follows :* | 


«¢ To his worshipful and good friend Mr. Ant. Gilby. 

«“ Salutation in Christ Jesus. Albeit your days are evil 
¢¢ and your time short; yet I pray you be occupied in the 
<¢ gift which God has betowed upon you, in translating the 
<< prophets, and conjoin somewhat: also out of the Rabbins 
<¢ or Chaldee Paraphrast, that may be a testimony of your 
< industry, and an help for your son. We must do what we 
<¢ may, and what we cannot must leave to God. The Lord 
“be merciful to us, Commend me to your good wife. 


¢¢ Oxon. March 5. 
‘ ‘¢ Yours in the Lord, 
‘<¢ LawRENcE HumpuHRey.”’ 


This letter appears to have been addressed to our divine. 
towards the close of life, but there is no particular year 


* Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. xxxii. p- 431. 


LEP LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


specified in the date. Several other letters from Dr. 

homas Sampson, Mr. Thomas Wilcocks, and other 
celebrated divines, addressed to Mr. Gilby, are now before 
me. Such of them as are particularly illustrative of the 
history of the times, will be found inserted in theix proper 


laces. 
P The high respect in which Mr. Gilby was held, was no © 
screen against the tion of the tyrannizing ecclesias- 
tics. refore, in the year 1571, Archbishop Parker 
binding the clergy to a more exact conformity, by wearing 
the habits and observing the ceremonies, 
Archbishop Grindal of York, to prosecute him for non- . 
conformity. But Grindal, who, towards the close of life, 
was averse to all severe measures, signified to his brother of 
Canterbury, that as Mr. Gilby dwelt in Leicestershire, and 
out of his province, he could not proceed against him ; and 
so referred his case to the commissioners in the south. 
Hence it is extremely probable that he was now summoned, 
with several other learned divines, before Parker and his 
colleagues at Lambeth ; but of this we have no certain in- 
formation.» It appears, however, pretty evident, that he 
was silenced from his public ministry, either at this, or at 
some other time.+ 

Mr. Gilby, according to Fuller, stands first on the list. of 
learned writers, who received their education in Christ’s 
college, Cambridge.t He was author of a work, entitled 
« A Viewe of Antichrist, his Lawes and Ceremonies in our 
English Church unreformed,” 1570. The first part of this 
humorous piece is called “ The Book of the Generation of 
Antichrist the Pope, the revealed Child of Perdition and 
his Successors ;” and is so singularfand curious, that, for 
the satisfaction of the inquisitive reader, the substance of it 
is here transcribed. The ecclesiastical genealogy is ex- 
pressed as follows: 
.. The devil begat darkness. Darkness begat ignorance. 
Ignorance begat error and his brethren. Error begat free- 
will and self-love. Free-will begat merit. Merit mae. 
forgetfulness of the grace of God. Forgetfulness of t 
grace of God, begat transgression. Transgression begat 
mistrust. Mistrust begat satisfaction. Satisfaction 
the sacrifice of the mass. Sacrifice of the mass begat 
popish priesthood. Popish priesthood begat stiperstition. 

* Strype’s Parker, p. 320.—Griadal, p. 170. ° 


+ Nichols’s Defence, p. 21. Edit. 1740. 
{ Fuller’s Hist. of Cam..p. 92. 


GILBY. 983 


Superstition begat hypocrisy the king. Hypocrisy the 
king begat lucre. Lucre begat purgatory. Purgatory 
begat the foundation of pensions, and the patrimony of the 
church. Pensions and patrimony begat the mammon of 
iniquity. Mammon begat abundance. Abundance begat 
fulness. Fylness begat cruelty. Cruelty begat dominion 
in ruling. Dominion begat ambition. Ambition begat 
simony. And simony begat the Pore, and his brethren the 
eardinals, with all their successors, abbots, priors, arch- 
bishops, lord-bishops, archdeacons, deans, chancellors, 
commissaries, officials, and proctors, with the rest of the 
viperous brood. 

The pope begat the mystery of iniquity. The mystery 
of iniquity begat divine sophistry. Divine sophistry begat 
rejection of the holy scriptures. Rejection of the’ holy 
scriptures begat tyranny. Tyranny begat murder of the 
saints. Murder begat despising of God. Despising of 
God begat dispensation of offences. Dispensation begat 
license for sin. License for sin begat abomination. Abomi- 
nation begat confusion in matters of religion. Confusion 
brought forth travail of the spirit. Travail of the spirit, 
brought forth matter of disputation for the truth ; by which 
that desolator, antichrist the pope, hath been revealed, and 
all other antichrists shall in due time be revealed. And 
they are antichrists, who make laws for the church, contrary: 
to the truth, and deprive, imprison, and banish the members 
of Christ, both preachers and others, refusing obedience ~ 
thereunto.—Most of the points in this curious genealogy, 
are supported by an appropriate portion of scripture.* 
Though Mr. Toplady styles the author, “‘ a very acrimo- 
nious puritan ;”’ yet he adds, “ that as far as matters of mere | 
doctrine were concerned, it is in perfect harmony with the 
creed of the church of England.”+ | 

As Mr. Gilby was a zealous opposer of the ecclesiastical 
" corruptions, and constantly desirous to obtain a more pure 

reformation, he could not escape the severe animadversion 
of the contrary.party. For having said, “ that the habits 
and ceremonies used in the church of England, were carnal, 
_beggarly, antichristian elements,” Dr. Nichols has treated 
. him with much scurrility and abuse. But, surely, if the 
apostle might call the Jewish ceremonies carnal, when God 
himself had appointed them; why might not Mr. Gilby say 


* Parte of a Register, p. 56, 57. 
+ Toplady’s Historic Proof, vol. ii. p. 356. 


284 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


the same of the popish ceremonies, which he never appointed ? 
If the one called Jewish ceremonies, weak and beggarly 
elements ; why might not the other call the popish ceremo- 
nies, beggar and antichristian pomps 2? The celebrated 
Bishop Ridley, once a zealous defender of the ceremonies, 
when the surplice was forced upon liim, bitterly inveighed 
against it, calling it foolish, abominable, and not fit for a 
player onthe stage. ‘The excellent Bishop Jewel called the 
garments, relics of popery. Why then is Mr. Gilby so 
bitterly censured for saying, they were popish fopperies, 
Romish relics, rags of antichrist, and dregs of disguised 
popery 2 Mr. Gilby publicly declared, adds the above 
writer, ‘¢ that if he was suffered to preach some time longer, 
being so conceited of his popular eloquence, he would 
shake the very foundations of the English church.”’+ 
Whether he was, indced, thus conceited of his own superior. 
eloquence, and whether he ever made any such declaration, it 
is not now very easy to ascertain. If Dr. Nichols had any 
authority for what he has asserted, he would certainly have 
done his own cause no injury, but have conferred a favour 
upon the public, by bringing it forwards. However, ad- 
mitting the twofold charge, it reflects no great degree of 
honour upon the rulers of the church, that so eloquent, 
learned, pious and useful a divine, should be condemned -to 
silence. 

This worthy servant of Christ appears to have lived to a 
very great age, but we cannot learn the particular time of 
his death. The last of the letters addressed to him, that we 
have seen, is one from Dr. Sampson, dated March 8, 1584 ; 
when he must have been living.; 


His Works.—1. An Answer to the Devilish Detection of Stephen 
Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, 1547.2. A Commentary on the 
Prophet Micah, 1551.—3. An Admonilion to England and Scotland, 
to call them to Repentance for their Declension and Apostacy from 
the Truth, 1557.—4. A Viewe of Antichrist, &c. already mentioned. 
—5. A Godly and Zealous Letter written to Master Coverdale, M. 
Turner, M. Sampson, M. Doctor Humphrey, Mr. Lever, M. Crowley, 
and others that labour to roote out the Weedes of Poperie, 1570.—6. 
A pleasant Dialogue between a Soldier of Berwick and an English 
Captain, wherein are largely handled and laid open such Reasons as 
are brought for Maintenance of Popish Traditions in our English 

urch. 


* Peirce’s Vindication, part ii. p. 8, 9. 
+ Nichols’s Defence, p. 21. Edit. 1740. 
{ Baker’s MS, Collec. vol. xxxii. p. 449. 


EDWIN. _ : 285 


Joun Epwin was a man of great learning and piety, a 
zealous and constant preacher, and many years vicar of 
Wandsworth in Surrey, but was prosecuted for noncon- 
formity. He was cited before the Bishop of Winchester ; 
and, upon his appearance, April 30, 1584, he underwent 
the following examination: _ . 

Bishop. Where do you dwell? 

Edwin. At Wandsworth in Surrey. 

B. Where were you brought up? 

E. For the most, part at Wandsworth. | 

B. What in no school! . 

E. Never in any public school, only some time at 
Rochester. I-have lived at Wandsworth forty-two years, 
_ and have been vicar of Wandsworth twenty-five years, 

during which time, I thank God, I have not been idle. 

B. Where were you made minister ? 

KE. I was made minister when Dr. Parker was created 
Archbishop of Canterbury, by the Bishop of Bangor, who, 
by the command of the archbishop, made me minister in 
Bow-church, London. . | 

B. Do you use to catechize ? and how do you perform it? 

_ E. I catechize every Lord’s day before evening prayer, 
and in the midst of evening prayer. 

B. Have you not subscribed ? 

E. No. 

B. Why not? | 

KE. My Lord, I perceive that you wish us to signify our . 
allowance of the Book of Common Prayer. There is no 

cause why I should be called in question for this matter; - 
for I use fhe book, and do not refuse it, and I speak not 
against it. These are manifest proofs that [ allow of it. 

B. Many of you who say so, will not confess what you 
have done, neither what you will do. Therefore you must 
subscribe. , 

E. I consider it a greater allowance to use a thing, than to 
subscribe unto it. | | 

B. So you think.and say it is unreasonable and unlawful 
to require you to subscribe. | : 

E. Do you gather.this, my lord, from what I have said ? 

- No 


E. Then all is well. | 

B. But you must subscribe, or shew some cause why you 
will not. .- | | 
- EE. My lord, if no excuse will serve, but I must substribe, 


286 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


or shew some cause why I refuse, I will shew your 
three reasons: As, 1. There are some thi in 

of Common Prayer against the word of and, there- 
fore, repugnant to the word of God.—?. My next reason— 

B. Nay, stop; let us talk of the first. 

E. I like your order well. And to prove what I have 
said, I refer you to the words of the rubric, before the office 
of confirmation, where it is said, «* ‘That no man shall think 
any detriment will come to children by deferring their 
confirmation; he shall know for truth, that it ts certain | 
by God's word, that children being baptized have aff things | 
necessary to saloation, and be undoubtedly saved.” J 

B. You must not take it as the words import. 

E. No, my lord! Is it not your pleasure that we should 
subscribe to the things in the book ? Or, is it your pleasure 
tat we should subscribe to your interpretation of those 

ings? 

B You must subscribe to the sense of what is contained 


rt 


Fed 


E. If we must subscribe to the sense, then must you 
amend your article. For your article, to which you require 
us to subscribe, saith, that there is nothing in the Book of 
Common Prayer repugnant to the word of God. 

B. If you were to subscribe to the gospel, would you sub- 
scribe to the words, or the sense ? 

E. I would subscribe to the words———* 

B. You lie. ; 

E. My lord, I beseech you let us have good words. I say 
again, we must subscribe both to the words and to the sense. 

B. ButI say nay. For where Christ saith, ‘‘ I] am the 
door,” will you subscribe to the words? . 

E. My lord, mistake me not. I say we must subseribe 
to the sense and the -words; and where the words are 
figurative, we must subscribe to the sense. But when the 
words and sense are the same, and without any figure, then 
we must subscribe to both. __ oo an 

B. What think you of the words of Christ, “ My father 
is the husbandman,” and, “ the word was made flesh 2?” 

E. If you compare Gen. i. with the words going before 
those you have mentioned, you will see that we ninst sab- 
scribe to the sense of the words. 


* Here, as Mr. Edwin attempted to proceed, his grace suddealy and 
passionately interrepted him. 


EDWIN. BT 


B. «©The word was made flesh:” J am sure you Will not 
say, the Godhead of Christ was made flesh. 

_ _E. No, my lord, and I am as sure you-will not say, that 
the manhood of Christ was made flesh, without his God- 
head. But, my lord, allow me.to prove my assertion. 

B. Tell me, what is the English of verbum 2 ‘ 
E. I can prove out of the Greek, the Hebrew, and the 
Syriac, that the word verbum, as near as it can be-rendered 
in English, signifieth a thing. Allow me to prove my 

assertion. 

B. I confess we must subscribe both to sense.and words. 

E. Then in this we are agreed. 

B. In the place you cited from the book, the meaning is, 
that those who are baptized, and therewith receive the 
of that. sacrament, being of the number of the elect, are 
undoubtedly saved: 

E. I beseech your lordship to read the words of the 
book, and let it be seen how you can give it that interpreta- 
tion. But I wish to mention a second reason, and that is 
the administration of the communion to an individual person 
in private. How doth this agree with the word of God, 
and with the word communion 2? 

B. The doctrine contained in the sacrament, belo 
to wise and learned men to determine. You had best 
exercise yourself in catechizing, and let this alone. 

E. My lord, you must bear with me. For I think God 
requireth it at our hands, that we learn and teach all things 
revealed in his holy word. | ' : 

B. In some parts of Saxony, there are various articles of 
religion prohibited from being taught; and we ought to be 
content and thankful for the liberty we enjoy. 

KE. I cannot, without tears, remember the marvellous 
benefits we enjoy by the freedom of the gospel, which I 
pray God may never be interrupted. I must, also, call to 
gaind,.and I do also remember, the innumerable comforts. 
and benefits we enjoy under the government of our most 
gracious Queen Elizabeth, whom, I beseech God, long to 
eld te and. bless. But are these sufficient reasons for us to 

to any thing against the word o ? 

B. The communion in private is a single communion. ° 

E. How can the words single and communion be made to 
agree ? 

B. I do not say they can. 

E. Why then do you join them together? 


288 LIVES OF. THE PURITANS. 


- B. In the time of Justin Martyr, being two hundred 
years after Christ, the sacrament, in time of persecution, 
was carried from house to house, because the people dare 
not come together. And on one occasion, the sacrament 
was sent by a boy to a sick man, who eamestly desired 
to receive it. 

E. But, my lord, your bringing forward the example of 
primitive christians 1s to no purpose. Our question is, 
whether the Book of Common Prayer containeth any thing 
repugnant to the word of God. And, my lord, I think no 
good man will deny that the two places I have mentioned 
are repugnant to the word of God. 

. B. What! do you condemn all who have subscribed ? 

Do you say they have all acted wickedly ? 

. You misunderstand my words. What I speak, I 
speak with consideration, and I know what I say. 

B. What o'clock is it? 

kk. We have not yet done. I told you I had three 
reasons. : 
B. I have had more ado with you than all the rest. 

E. You have not yet finished with me. As I said, I have 
three reasons; and I trust you ‘will hear them before you 
. proceed against me. 

B. What are your other reasons ? 

E. If you will promise that we shall examine them, I 
_ will mention them ; but if not, it is unnecessary. 

B. I had rather persuade many learned men than you. 

E. I speak not of learning, but of conscience; and my 
‘eonscience, without persuasion, will not yield. Hitherto in 
my ministry, I have enjoyed a good conscience, founded 
upon the word of God; and, my lord, with as good:a con- 
science, by the help of God, will I be removed from it, 
or I will not be removed.* 

‘Here the examination broke off, and the good man de- 
- parted most probably under suspension or deprivation. His 
two other reasons for refusing to subscribe, which he designed 
to have mentioned, were, ‘“ That in the Book of Common 
Prayer, there are some things contrary.to the laws of the 
realm.—And_ that there are some things which maintain 
and encourage some of the grossest errors and heresies of 


popery.’’t 


# MS. Register, p. 576—579. + Ibid. 


_ -BRAYNE. 289 


Epwarpb Brayne was a learned divine of Cambrid 
and greatly harassed for refusing subscription to Whitgift’s 
three articles, accounting them contrary to scripture and the 
dictates of his own conscience. Having received two 
canonical admonitions, he united with his brethren in the 
diocese of Ely, in writing the following peaccable letter to 
the archbishop, dated March 12, 1584 :—‘‘ Whereas two 
canonical admonitions arealready passed upon us, for refusin 
to subscribe to things, some of which we know not, and 
others we greatly doubt. We are, therefore, bold to offer 
our humble supplication unto you, as well as crave your 
lordship’s favour that a longer space of time may be granted 
us, endeavouring and praying daily with our whole hearts 
for the peace of the church. Wherefore, if it shall please 
your lordship, we wish either to be freed from all subscrip- 
tion, excepting to her majesty’s authority, and the articles 
of religion, as by law required, or to give us so long a 
time, that we may sufficiently consider the subject, and be 
persuaded that we ought to subscribe; or if, at length, we 
cannot subscribe, tosubmit ourselves to suffer punishment, for 
the peace of the church. In the mean time, we condemn 
not those who have subscribed, and we desire that they may 
not condemn us. Thus if it shall please Almighty God to 
move your lordship to have compassion on our troubled 
consciences, we shall praise God and manifest our thankful- 
ness to you.””* 

It does not, however, appear that this letter had any 
good effect:on the mind and conduct of this severe prelate. 

is remained inflexible. Therefore, May 24, 1584, 
Mr. Brayne and his brethren presented a supplication to 
the lords of the council ; in which they protest their aversion 
to Popery, and their inviolable loyalty to the queen, havi 
already sworn obedience to her authority, and subscri 
the articles of religion, and were ready to do the same 
again, if required. That they abhorred all error, heresy, and 
schism, and made use of the Book of Common Prayer, 
and endeayoured both in doctrine and conversation, 
to maintain a conscience void of offence towards God and 
men. And that being commanded to subscribe to many 
things not required by law, they humbly crave their lord- 
ships to accept of the following reasons for their refusal, 
and to be a means of releasing them from the subscription 
required ; 


* MS. Register, p. 883, 334. 
VOL. I. U 


290 - LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


‘< Some things,” say they, ‘‘ appear to us repugnant to 
the word of God; as the allowance of. an unlearned 
ministry, reading the apocrypha in the service of God, 
private baptism, and the government of the church. “An 
to us many things appear very doubtful, some of which it 
is impossible for us to practice with a good conscience. 
Yet, as we judge not others in the practice of them; so we 
desire that we may not be judged by them, but left to our 
liberty in not subscribing. ‘There are other things to the 
use of which we have subscribed, because they are tolerated 
-for a time, and imposed upon us by the laws of the church ; 
yet we see not how they agree with the word of God, and 
cannot approve of them. But if we offend against any. 
Jaw of the church or statute, we humbly crave such favour 
and clemency as is not contrary to law; but if this 
cannot be obtained, we submit ourselves to the censures of 
the law, still ayowing our peaceableness both in church and 
state. 
- 6 We, therefore, must humbly on our beseech 
your honours, that we may be freed from the subscription 
now urged upon us; or have so much time allowed us to 
examine and consider the case, as your wisdoms shall 
think fit; or we must give up our places for the of 
the church. - For we most humbly confess before God and 
the clect angels, that to subscribe as now required, we 
should act contrary to the doctrines of faith and repentance 
which we have taught among the people of our charge: 
We should subscribe to some things against our consciences, 
to many things with a doubtful conscience, and most of all 
with an ignorant conscience; from all such dealing the 
Lord ever preserve us. We commend to your wise consi- 
deration the indignity and reproach which is likely to be 
cast upon us and our ministry, being accounted disloyal 
and seditious against her majesty; but we much more 
commend to you our doubtful, fearful, and distressed con- 
scicnces, and the miscrable state of our poor and distressed 
_ people hungering after the word of life, who, when they are 
deprived of us, almost despair of having a learned and 
godly ministry. If they might have better than ourselves, 
we should rejoice, and be much more content. We bless 
the Lord, that the people of our charges are free from 
heresies and seditions, and most of them from gross crimes, 
and all, so far as we know, are faithful subjects, and many 
of them are known and approved christians. But what 
may befall them when they are left as sheep without 


. BRAYNE. 291 


a shepherd, we leave to your honoured wisdoms to 
judge. . : : 
mee We have:only to add our humble apology for now 
soliciting the favour of your honours. We have forborne 
applying to you as long as we possibly could, and perhaps 
till it is too late, as three canonical admonitions have already- 
passed upon us, and our deprivation is threatened ; which 
sentence, two of us have already tasted. . We have used 
means by our right worshipful and some:of her. majesty’s 
justices, with the Archbishop of Canterbury, who -have 
used their earnest suit for us with the archbishop, both by 
their letters and private conference; but -hitherto.to no | 
purpose. Such dealing may seem favourable to them who 
treat us thus, but to us it seemeth very hard. Our release 
from this hard dealing by your kind favour, will provoke 
us to pray for your honours’ present peace and prosperity, 
and that when you have done with all things here, you may 
receive the crown of glory.’ a - 

Notwithstanding this supplication, or their letter to the 
archbishop, in the month of July this year, Mr. Brayne 
was cited to appear before his grace and other high com- 
missioners at Lambeth. -Having attended several times 
according to appointment, and_ being required tp take 
the oath ex oficio, to answer the interrogatories of the 
court, he refused, unless he might first: see them, and write 
down. his answers with his own hand. His grace refusi 
to grant him the favour, immediately gave his canoni 
admonitions, once, twice, thrice; and caused him to be 

istered for contempt, and suspended from his. ministry. 

“¢ But,” says the good man, ‘ knoweth how far con- 
tempt was from my heart, and, I trust, my words and 
behaviour will witness the same.”+ . But guilty or -not 
guilty, the tyrannical archbishop cut him off from all 
public usefulness in the church of God. 

Mr. Brayne being silenced from his,beloved work, wrote 
a very appropriate letter, dated July 6th, to the Lord © 
Treasurer Burleigh, giving him an account of the hard 
treatment he had met with. In this letter, he earnestly 
solicited the treasurer’s kind favour and interference; but 
whether it proved the means of procuring his restoration, 
appears extremely doubtful.} The treasurer, indeed, used his ¢ 
utmost endeavours. He applied to the archbishop, signifying. 


®. MS. Register, p. 455-—457. Loe 
+ Strype’s Whitgift, p. 163. . + Ibid. p. 164, . 


292 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


his dissatisfaction with his lordship’s urging ministers, by 
his method of examination, to accuse themselves; and then 
to punish them upon their own confessions. He further 
observed, ‘‘ that he would not call his proceedings 10Us, 
but they were scarcely charitable. That he would not 
offend his grace; and was content that he and the Bish 

of London, might use Mr. Brayne as their wisdoms shou 

think fit. But when by examining hin, it was only meant 
to sift him with twenty-four articles, he had cause to 


pity the poor man.”* Such was the wisdom, the boldness, 
aod the sympathy of this celebrated statesman ; but his 
generous efforts appear to have been without effect.t 


BarnaBy BEentison was minister in London, a divine of 
i ed for several 


* Strype’s Whitgift, p. 160. 

' # Lord Burleigh was a decided friend to the persecuted puritans, and 
eften screened them from the inhumaa proceedings of the prelates, or 
procured their release from bonds end imprisonment. On account of his 
eat abilities, indefatigable application, amazing capacity for business, and 
oveable integrity, he is deservedly placed at the head of our English 
statesmen. His capacity for business appears from the following passage 
in his life :—‘* Besides all business in council, or other weighty causes, and 
** such as were answered by word of mouth, there was not a day in term 
** wherein he received not threescore, fourscore, or a hundred petitions, 
* which he commonly read that night, and gave every man an answer the 
“next morning as he went to the hall. Hence the excellence of his 
** memory was greatly admired; for when any of these petitioners told 
*‘ him their names, or what countrymen they were, he presently entered 
*Cinto the merit of his request, and having discussed it, gave him his 
*S answer.’’ This was his practice towards persons in all circumstances. He 
would answer the poorest, as well as others, from hisown mouth. Whea 
at any time he was forced to keep his chamber, or his bed, he ordered that 
poor suitors should send in their petitions sealed ; and upon every petition 
he caused his answer to be written, and subscribed it with his own hand. 
** He was prayed for by the poor, honoured by the rich, feared by the 


** bad, and loved by the good.”——Biog. Britan. vol. ili. p. 30). 
Edit. 1778, 


BENISON, 29S 
obedient to the tyrannical proceedings of the bishops. Our 
author adds, “ he fixed his station in London, refused 
to go to church, gathered cenventicles, and -sought to 
promote schism and confusion in the city. That the 

ishop finding in him unspeakable disobedience, and he 
refusing the oath usually tendered by the high come 
mission, (meaning the oath ex officio, by which he would 
have become his own accuser,) was committed to prison. 
And,” our learned historian asks, ‘“‘ what could the bishop 
haye done less ?”’* 

It is not very difficult to find out many things, which his 
lordship might not have done less than this, even admitting 
that Mr. Benison was deserving of punishment. Four or 
five years’ confinement in prison is a penalty of no smal] 
magnitude, and appears greatly disproportionate to an 
crime with which he was charged. And, indeed, Me 
Stirype himself intimates as much, in the very next words s 
<¢ But,” says he, “it seems the bishop: overshot himself, 
and did not proceed so circumspectly in the imprisonment of 
him for so long a time. For Mr. Benison’s cause being 
brought before the lords of the council, the bishop was 
jadged to haye dealt too hardly with him ; for which, theres 
fore, he receiyed a.reprimand.’’+ 

Mr. Benison having suffered so long a cenfinement in 
prison, applied both to the queen and council’; and in the 
statement of his own case, he declares concerning his mary 
riage, the irregularity of which was the crime alleged 
against him, “ ‘Phat he had invited only forty persons to the 
solemnity, and.only thirty attended: that he was married 
in the morming, and‘according to law: that when-the bishop 
sent for him, charging him-with sedition, he cleared himself 
to his lordship’s satisfaction ; but that after he went home, 
he gave a private order.under his own hand for him to be 
apprehended and sent to tlie Gatehouse; and that he was 

ere shut up in a dungeon eight days, without knowing the 
cause of his imprisonment.”” Moreover, when Mr. Benison 
was first apprehended and carried to prison, he was 
plundered of a great part of his household furniture ; his 
valuable library was utterly spoiled and taken away, and 
he suffered great losses in various other ways.t Dr, 
Hammond, and his faithful friend Mr. John Fox, who were 


* Strype’s Aylmer, p. 209, 210. + Ibid. 
$ Ibid, p. 211, 212. 


294 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


both at the wedding, and witnessed the whole proceeding, 
went to the bishop, and assured him, that he was faultless 
in those things charged against him. But his lordship 
remained inflexible, and would not release him without 
such bonds for his good behaviour and future appearance, 
as the prisoner was unable to procure. Mr. Benison, in 
his letter to the queen and council, concludes in the fol- 
lowing moving language: *. 
<¢ Thus I continue,” says-he, “‘ separated from my wife 
before 1 had been married two weeks, to the great trouble of 
her friends and relations, and to-the staggering of the patient 
obedience of my wife. For since my imprisonment, his 
lordship has been endeavouring to separate us, whom God, 
in.the open presence of his people, has joined together. 
‘Wherefore, I most humbly beseech your godly honours, 
for.the everlasting love of God, and for the pity you take 
upon God’s true protestants and his poor people, to be a- 
means that my pitiful cry may be heard, and my just cause 
with some credit be cleared, to the honour of God and her 
majesty, whom for ever I esteem more than all the bishop’s 
blessings or bitter cursings: and that I, being now half 
dead, may recover again to get-a poor living with the little 
learning which God has given me, to his glory, to the 
discharge of some part of my duty, and to the profit of my 
country.” This was Mr. Benison’s impartial statement of | 
his own case ; upon the reception of which, the lords of the 
council were so moved, that they sent the bishop the fallow: . 
ing letter : + ° - | : 
ro . “-Hampton-court, November 14, 1584. 
‘6 Whereas, Barnaby Benison, minister, has given us to 
¢ understand, the great hinderance he has received by your 
“hard dealing with him, and his long imprisonment, for 
‘¢ which if he should bring his action against you of false 
‘¢ emprisonment, he woul by law recover damages, which 
“ would touch your lordship’s credit. We have, therefore, 
“thought fit to require your lordship to use some consi- 
‘¢ deration towards him, in giving him a reasonable sum of 
“ money to repay the wrong you have done. unto him, 
“and to supply the hinderance he hath incurred by. your 
“hard dealings with him. Therefore, praying your 
“ lordship to deal with the poor man, that he may have 
** occasion to turn his complaint into a good report unto. 


‘ * MS, Register, p.591. + ‘hid, p. 589. 


re BENISON. 895 


“us of your charitable dealing. We bid you farewell. 
“ Signed, | a 


. “ Bromey, Chan, Francis KNoues, 
“ Wii. BurGHLEY, James Crort, 
66 Amp. Warwick, Water MiupMay, 
&‘ Fr. BepForp, - Curist. Hatton, 


‘© Ropert LEIcesteR, Fr. WALSINGHAM.” 
§& Cuaries Howarp, 


Upon the bishop’s reception of the above letter, he 
returned this answer :—‘ I beseech your lordships to 
consider, that it isa rare example thus to press a bishop, 
‘‘ for his zealous service to the queen and the peace of the 
“ church, especially as the man was found worthy to be 
§ committed for refusing to go to church, and other instances 

“of nonconformity, to say nothing of his contemptuous 
‘ behaviour towards me. Nevertheless, since it pleaseth 
$6 your lordships to require some reasonable sum of money, : 
“"] pray you consider my poor estate and great charges, 
“together with the great caunt the man will make of his 
_ conquest over a bishop. 1 hope, therefore, your lordships 
_ © will be favourable to me, and refer it to myself, either to 
§§ bestow upon him some small benefice, or otherwise to help 
‘S him as opportunity offers. Or if this shall not satisfy the 
§* man, or not content your lordships, leave him to the trial 
§° of the law, which, I hope, will not be so plaim far him as 
“ he taketh it. Surely, my lords, this and the like must 
s. greatly discourage me in this poor service of mine in the 
“‘ commission; wherein, if I seem remiss, I pray you impute 
« it to the troubles and infirmities of old age.”* 

The manner in which the bishop answered the accusations 
against him, is a sufficient evidence that his conduct could 
not be defended. What reparation Mr. Benison obtained 
for the injurious treatment he received, or whether any, — 
does not appear. But he was certainly too wise to go to 
Jaw with a bishop of the high commission court, who having 
but little conscience, exercised much cruelty; and who, 
notwithstanding his poor estates and great charges, left 
behind: him at his death several very large estates, properties 
out upon mortgage, and above sixteen thousand pounds in 
money.+ -These were immense riches in those days. Mr. _ 
Strypet represents A ylmer’s ill treatment of Mr. Benison as 


* MS. Register, p. 589. ; 
+ Strype’s Aylmer, p, 172, 194.—Neal’s Puritans, yol, i. p. $84. 
¢ Strype’s Aylmer, p. 205. 


296 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


the slander of his enemies ; as if his lordship had dealt wath 
him only according to his deserts; but what degree of 
justice t is in this representation, the foregoing state- 
ment of facts will best determine. 


Wiutztram Necus was minister at Leigh in Essex, but 
suspended by Bishop Aylmer in the year 1584. Mr. Negus 
gives us the following account of this ecclesiastical censure : 
—‘* The cause of my suspension,” says he, ‘‘ was this: being 
convened before the bishop at Waltham, and he demanding 
whether I had worn the surplice since my coming to Leigh, 
my answer was, that I had it not, so I had not refused it. 
There was none offered me, nor was there a surplice in the 
parish. He then inquired whether I would wear it, when 
there was one provided. My. answer was, that I desired his 
favour to proceed in my ministry, until a surplice was 
procured ; and that he knew my unwillingness to wear it. 

e was not satisfied with this answer, but urged me to say 
that I would, or that I would not wear it. But I abiding b 
my former answer, and desiring that I might be accepted, 
he thus concluded :. ‘ Seeing you will not promise to weat 
it, we suspend you until you do promise.’”* The 
man was thus silenced for refusing to wear the clerical 
garment. 

Having received the episcopal censure, twenty-eight of 
his parishioners, who subscribed themselves his hungry 
sheep now without a shepherd, signed.a most affectionate and 
pressing letter, earnestly beseeching him to wear the sur- 
plice. Though they wished that the linen garment were 
utterly abolished, they anxiously desired him, for. the sake 
of their advantage, to conform. But he found it impossible, 
with a good conscience, to wear that garment in the public 
- worship of God, which to him appeared wholly founded. in 

superstition, and the very badge of antichrist; and so he 
quietly submitted to be deprived.+ 


Joun Stroup was minister first at Yalding, then at 
Cranbrook in Kent. He was a man of good learning, most 
exemplary piety, peaceable behaviour, and a faithful, 
Jaborious, and very usetul preacher; but was repeatedly 

persecuted for nonconformity. He entered upon his troubles 


* MS. Register, p.568. - + Ibid. 


_NEGUS—STROUD. 297 


about the year 1567. Having had in his possession the 
Book of Ecclesiastical Disci oline, he was cited before the 
chancellor to the Bishop of Rochester; and confessing the 
fact, that such a book had been in his hands, the chancellor 
said, ‘‘ it eontains treason, rebellion, and heresy,”’ and. im- 
mediately committed him to prison. Mr. Stroud observing 
that he hoped he was not deserving of such hard usage, 
wished to give sufficient security, but his offer was utterly 
disregarded. Upon his release from prison, he was for- 
bidden to preach, and even to teach children, within the 
parish of Yalding or elsewhere, and commanded to depart 
out of the diocese in forty days. This unfeeling and 
inhuman sentence was sent to the churchwardens of Y alding, 
with a strict command to see it fully executed. But an 
impartial statement of his case being laid before the Arche 
bishop of Canterbury, the cruel sentence was in part reversed, 
By.the license, and under the seal, of the archbishop, he 
obtained liberty to continue a twelvemonth; when he re- 
turned to Yalding, hoping to proceed in his ministry 
without further molestation. 

His liberty, however, was of very short continuance. For 
in a few months, he was cited, with several others, to appear 
at Rochester; and.the citation was ordered to be read pub- 
licly in the church at Yalding. Upon his appearance in 
the court, the churchwardens were first called and. examined. 
The chief article of their examination was, “‘ whether any 
child or children had been baptized in their parish, when 
the order prescribed and appointed in the Book of Common 
Prayer was not in all points observed; and whose children 
they were, who were godfathers and godmothers, and 
whether they answered according to the form required in 
the said book?” But the churchwardens were too wise to 
accuse their own minister, and they were all dismissed. 

Afterwards, both minister and churchwardens were again 
brought into the bishop’s court, at Rochester. The church- 
wardens were - first examined as before; and in addition to 
the former interrogatory, their examination was extended 
to the following articles :—“ Whether any one preached at 
Yalding without a license?—-Whether any preached who 
were forbidden, and commanded to leave the diocese ?—~ 
Whether any such preachers have any unlawful or suspected 
books, leading to the contempt or derogation of the Book 
of Common Prayer, or of any orders, rites, or ceremonies 
of the church, as by law established ? or who hath in any 
public meeting or private conventicle set forth any such 


a7 


296 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


books, or any doctrine therein contained ?—And whether 
they knew or had heard, that Mr. Stroud had observed or 
done any of the things above named ?”’ 

Mr. Stroud being next called, and required to take the 
oath ex officio,‘to answer the, inquiries of the court, he. 
refused till he knew those inquiries. The following inter- 
rogatories were then rcad to him:—‘ Have you now, or 
have you had in time past, any printing-press and létters, 
and where are they ?—Have you printed any contentious or 
rebellious books, and when, and where, and how long since, . 
and what is become of them ?—Have you any suspected or 
unlawful books leading to the contempt of the Book of 
Common Prayer ?”—Mr. Stroud refused to answer these 
interrogatories, which were evidently designed to make him 
accuse himself, and told the chancellor that these things 
belonged to. her majesty’s commissioners, and not to him. 
Upon this, the angry and cruel chancellor pronounced upon 
him the sentence of excommunication, which he commanded 
to be publicly announced in the church of Yalding. 
He, also, received the sentence of deprivation from t 

ishop. .* 

The good man being thus cast out of the church, and 
reduced to extreme poverty, was obliged to condescend to 
the low office of corsccting the press, and of publishing 
books to obtain a livelihood. But even in this occupation, 
‘he was not suffered to enjoy quietness. For, having pub- 
lished Mr. Cartwright’s Reply to Whitgift, he was sum- 

-moned, November 25, 1573, before the Bishop of London 
and other high commissioners, when he underwent the 
following examination : 

Mr. Stroud being asked what became of Cartwright’s . 
books after they were printed, said he delivered thirty-four 
of them to the Bishop of London; but the rest were dis- 
persed abroad. And being asked how he dared to print 
them a second time, seeing the queen’s proclamation was 
against him, he said they were printed before the queen’s 
proclamation came out, or he would not have printed them; 
upon which, the bishop thus addressed him: | 

Bishop. Are Mr. Cartwright’s books good and lawful, or 
not? And will you defend them ? 

Stroud. As there is no book without its faults, the book 
of God excepted; so will I not affirm that this book is 
altogether without faults; but to defend it I will not. He. 


* MS. Register, p. 191—104, 


‘STROUD. : 399° 


is of age to defend himself. And as for the book, I think 
your lordship will not utterly condemn it. ; . 

B. I confess there is something in it godly. It is a very 
evil book that hath no good thing in it. But I say the 
book is wicked, and is the cause of error and dissention in 
the church. 

Catlin. Wilt thou condemn the Book of Common Prayer ? 
Is it antichristian ? 

S. For these five years, I have not served in any church ; 
but when I have attended, I have resorted to common 
prayer, which, if I had condemned it, I' would not have 
done. Yet if I should allow of all things in our ministry, 
I should allow of those things which his lordship has 
denied. For he said, in his sermon at Paul’s cross, “ that 
there were certain evils in dur ministry.” 

B. Indeed, I said there were. Yet ought they not to be 
removed by private, but by public authority. 

- §. That is granted. But are those things to be removed ? 
' B. Though they may be removed, they are such things as" 
cannot offend the church; and every true christian ought 
40 bear with them until they be removed. 
' §. I have borne with them, or I should not have resorted 
to‘the church, as I have done. 

B: Have you been a minister, and now given it up?- 
Every one laying his hand to the plough, ought not to look 
back, without some special cause. : 

S. About five or six years since, I was called before my 
ordiriary, who told me I must subscribe, or lose my living, 
and be discharged from the ministry. Accordingly, I 
refusing to subscribe, he deprived me of my ministry. 

C. Wilt thou receive the communion according to the 
order prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer? 

S.'I have never refused to receive it according to the . 
word of God ; and where:I have resorted, I have received it 
more than six times in the year. 

Goodman. Name one church where thou hast received 
the communion. 

S. You seek to injure me. 

G. Nay; we seek to save thee. 

S. I-have refused to attend upon idle shepherds ; and, as 
you said they were dumb dogs, there can be no good 
received from them. Therefore, I beseech yon to endeavour 
to get them removed. . | | 

_G. Why, every member of the church of Christ is a 
sinner. : 


$00 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


B. Shall we then receive no communion ? 

Dyer. What sayest thou of the-order of baptism? Wilt 
thou have thy child baptized according to the order pre- 
scribed in the Book of Common Prayer ? , 

S. I have no child to baptize. 

D. Dost thou condemn the order of the sacrament of 
the Lord’s supper, the order of churching women, the 
burial service, or the ceremonies of the church? 

S. If I had condemned them, I would not have resorted 
to the church, as I have done. 

B. Thou wilt then agree to these three things :-—1. ‘¢ That 
thou hast offended against the law in printing Cartwright’s 
book.—2. That Cartwright’s book is neither godly, nor 
lawful.—3. That thou dost not condemn the Book of Com- 
mon Prayer, but wilt receive the sacrament of the Lord’s 
supper, according to the order prescribed.” | 

. I say as I have said before, if I had condemned the 
Book of Common Prayer, I would not have resorted ta the 
church, as I have done. 

Garret. But wilt thou subscribe ? 


S. I will.» ; 

_ Upon Mr. Stroud’s submission to subscribe, he retuned’ 
to his beloved exercise, and became minister at Cranbrook. 
But his troubles.were not ended. For, upon the translation 
of W hitgift to the see of Canterbury, his nonconfonmity 
exposed him to the displeasure of the new archbishop, who 
deprived him of his ministry, and commanded him to leave 
the country, But the good man was so universally beloved, 
that multitudes of persons in Kent signed petitions to the 
archbishop, earnestly soliciting his continuance. In one of 
these petitions, they address his lordship as follows: 

“ We know, most reverend father, that: Mr. Stroud has 
been. several times beaten and: whipt with the untrue reports 
of slanderous tongues, and accused of crimes wherepf he 
has most clearly acquitted himself. Most of us have heard 
him preach Christ truly, and rebuke sin boldly, and have 
seen him hitherto apply to his calling faithfully, and live 
among us most peaceably : so that, by’his diligence and 
doctrine, not only has our youth been instructed, and 
ourselves have been confirmed in true religion and learnings 
but we are daily allured. by his. holy conversation and 
example, to a christian life, and. the exercises of charity. 
And no one of us, most reverend father, hath hitherto heard 


* MS. Register, p. 194—195. 


STROUD. 301 


from his own mouth, nor by the credible relation of others, 
that he has publicly in his sermons, or privately in conver- 
sation, taught unsound doctrine, or opposed the discipline, 
about which, alas! there is now so great a controversy. 
And as he hath given a faithful promise to forbear handling 
any questions concerning the policy of the church ; so we 
think in our consciences, he has hitherto performed it. 

<¢ In consideration of these things; and that our country 
may not be deprived of so excellent a labourer in the Lord's 
harvest; that the enemies of God’s truth, the papists, may 
not have cause of joy and triumph; and that the man 
himself may not be thus discouraged and wounded to the 
heart, in receiving condemnation without examination : 
We, therefore, most humbly beseech your grace, for the 
poor man’s sake, for your own sake, and for the Lord’s sake, 
either to take judicial knowledge of his cause, that he may 
be confronted by his adversaries ; or, of your great wisdom 
and goodness, to restore him to his liberty of preaching the 
gospel among us. So we shall heartily thank God, and 
shall continually pray for you.”* 

Besides the above petition, signed by many worthy 
persons, another was signed by twenty-four ministers and 
others; a third by George Ely, vicar of Tenderden, and 
his parishioners ; a fourth by Thomas Bathurst, minister of 
StapJeherst, and his parishioners; a fifth by William 
Walter, vicar of Gouldhurst, and parishioners; a sixth by 
Matthias Water, minister of Frittenden, and parishioners ; 
a seventh by Anthony Francis, minister of Lamberhurst, 
and parishioners; an eighth by Alexander Love, minister 
of Rolvenden, and parishioners; a ninth by Christopher 
Vinebrook, minister of Helcorne, and parishioners ; a tenth 
by Matthew Walton, curate of Benenden, and parishioners ; 
an eleventh by William Cocks, minister of Marden, and 
parishioners ; a twelfth by William Vicar, minister of 

isehurst, and parishioners; and a thirteenth by William 
Hopkinson, minister of Salehurst, and his parishioners.+ 

So high a reputation had Mr. Stroud among persons of 
true piety, and holy zeal for the protestant religion. All 
these petitions, signed by numerous -persons res ble 
both for learning and piety, were presented to W hitgift ; 
but whether they proved the happy means of ing his 
lordship’s favour, is extremely doubtful. Mir. Stroud was 
a man of most exemplary piety, and universally beloved, 


» MS, Register, p. 196, 197, + Ibid. 


302 . LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


and a most excellent and peaceable divine, but continually 
molested and vexed in the ecclesiastical courts. 


Joun Browninc, D. D.—This learned divine was 
senior fellow of Trinity college, Cambridge, and afterwards 
domestic chaplain to the Earl of Bedford, but was deprived 
of his fellowship for his puritanical opinions. Having 
delivered a sermon in St. Mary’s church, in which were 
contained certain heretical opinions, as they were called, he 
-‘was convened, February 1, 1572, before the heads of col- 

, and commanded to abstain from preaching, till he 
should be purged from his dangerous heresy. Under these 
circumstances, he looked upon it to be his duty to obey 
God, rather than men, and therefore refused to obey their 
command, and still continued in his beloved work of 
preaching; on which account he was cast into prison for 
contempt. ‘Whatever were the pretended charges of his. 
enemies, his principal crime was his nonconformity.* 

Dr. Browning having remained for some time in prison, was 
at length released, upon giving bond of two hundred marks, 
and obtaining two sureties bound in forty pounds each, fi 
his appearance to answer such charges as should be alle 
against him, and to abstain from preaching till further leave 

ould be granted.t Being called before his spiritual 
judges, they resolved, “ that if the said John Browning 
shall from “time to time appear and answer, when and 
wheresoever he shall be lawfully called within the realm of . 
England, to all such matters as shall be objected unto him, 
touching certain words uttered by him in two sermons, for 
which he hath been convened before the said vice-chancellor, 
until he shall be lawfully discharged ; and also shall abstain 
from preaching, until he shall be permitted or called by the 
said vice-chancellor, or his deputy, or successors: And 
_ farther, shall behave himself quietly and peaceably towards 
the queen’s majesty, and all her subjects, and especially 
within the university of Cambridge, that then the recog- 
nizance to be void and of no effect, or else to stand and 
remain in its full power and strength.”} The day following, 
Dr. Bying, the vice-chancellor, sent a statement of his 
crimes, with an account of the above proceedings, to Lord. 
Burleigh the chancellor.s tore, 

* Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. iv. p. 55. oO 


+ Strype’s Parker, p. 390.—Whitgift, p. 46.—Annals, vol. ii. p. 189. 
¢ Baker’s MS, Collec. vol. iii, p. 392. § Ibid, vol. iv. p. 55. 


BROWNING. - 308 


Dr. Browning himself, after his release from prison, ap- 
peared before the chancellor, subscribed a submission with 
is own hand, and was so far acquitted that he was sent 
back to the university, and the vice-chancellor and heads 
were urged to re-admit him to his former office and prefer- 
ment., But this will best appear in Burleigh’s own words, 
addressed to the vice-chancellor and heads, which were as 
follows :—<‘ Having received from you a declaration of two 
errors committed by this bearer, John Browning, in his , 
sermons, one of them containing matter of heresy, and the, 
other tending to sedition, I have caused him to be further 
‘examined hereupon, in the presence of Sir Thomas Smith, 
her majesty’s principal secretary ; and finding as well by 
the relation of Mr. Secretary, as by his own confession 
subscribed with his hand, that he utterly abhorreth them 
both, and affirmeth that he hath been much mistaken in the 
same, I thought it best, for preserving the university’s 
reputation, and for the reverence of the church of God, 
wherein he is a minister, to suppress the memory and 
notice of the said errors, especially that which may be 
drawn to an interpretation that he should be justly thought 
seditious and offensive. Therefore, my advice is, 
you should receive him again into his place; and if he 
shall willingly acknowledge before you the same doctrine, 
and misliking of the foresaid crrors, whereof I mean to send 
you his confession under his hand, and then he may con- 
tinue quietly among you.’”* 

‘Though he returned to his office in the college, and to his 
public ministerial exercise, histroubles were not over. Having 
taken his doctor’s degree at Oxford, two years earlier than 
he ought to have done, brought upon him many fresh 
trials. For this singular offence, which some deemed a 
mere trifle, and others accounted a very grievous crime, he 
was deprived of his fellowship, and in effect expelled from | 
the university. This oppressive's#ntence was inflicted upon 
him in @ most clandestine and illegal manner by Dr. Still, 
and even above four years after taking his degree at Oxford. 
This was done a long time after Dr. Still had signified his 
approbation of his taking the degree, by allowing him 
to deliver public lectures in the chapel, according to the 
statute of the university, and by allowing him to be incor- 
porated in the same degree at Cambridge. He also con- 
firmed to Dr. Browning his fellowship and place in the 


* Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. xxix. p. 368. 


SOL LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


college, not only by suffering him quietly and peaceably 
to enjoy it, with all the privileges thereof, for more than 
three years, but also elected him by his own voice to be 
senior bursar of the college, and to be vice-master for two 
years by two separate elections.* 

Moreover, Dr. Still’s conduct was in many particulars 
most shameful. He proceeded against Dr. Browning with 
great injustice and inhum ty. ot content with illegally 

epriving him of his office and benefice, he would not suffer 
him to dine in the hall of the college, nor any one to eat or 
drink with him. When Dr. Browning kept his chamber in 
the college, this inveterate enemy would not permit any of 
his friends or acquaintance to come to him, or converse 
with him; and those of his friends who had any private 
intercourse with him, he strictly examined by threatenings 
and oaths to confess what had passed, with a view to accuse 
them from their own mouths. He also complained in this 
case to a foreign judge, expressly contrary to the statute 
the college. Aud Shows he ‘caused the name of Dr. 
Browning to be struck out of the buttery, he commenced an 
action of £300 against him, merely on supposition that he 
had done the same by him. He, moreover, procured a 
restraint of Dr. Browning’s liberty, by watching him and 
keeping him in his chamber for some time as in a prison. 
Not satisfied with these tyrannical proceedings, he assaulted 
Dr. Browning’s lodgings in a most violent manner, and 
broke open his doors, and ged him out of his chamber 
to the great injury of his body; notwithstanding the Earl 
of Bedford by his letters had previously required all pro- 
ceedings against him to be stayed, till the cause should be 
heard. To finish the business, this cruel oppressor of 
the Lord’s servants prohibited Dr. Browning’s pupils, ser- 
vants and friends, from coming near him, or bringing him 
any thing to eat or drink, intending to starve him to death.+ 
uring these rigorous’and illegal proceedings, the Earl 
of Bedford, as intimated above,t wrote to the Chancellor 
Burleigh, desiring his lordship not to give his consent to 
the sentence pronounced upon Dr. Browning, till after he 
had heard both parties. He spoke, at the same time, in 
high commendation of his character; that he had good 


* Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. iv. p. 45, 46. + Ibid. 

{ Francis Earl of Bedford was a celebrated statesman, and a constant 
friend to the persecuted puritans, At his death he left twenty pounds to 
be given to a number of pious ministers, for preaching twenty sermons at 
Cheney, Wobura and Melshburn.—MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 373. (22.) 


8. TURNER—J. WARD. ' 305 


experience of his sound doctrine, his useful preaching, and 
exemplary conversation, saying, that his deprivation was 
hard dealing.» If his deprivation of his fellowship was 
hard dealing, what must all the other proceedings hnve 
been? These troubles came upon him in the year 1584: 
but we do not find that this persecuted servant of Christ 
obtained any relief. : 


Srernen Turner was minister of Arlington in Sussex, 
but much troubled for nanconformity. About the year 1584, 
being convened before his ecclesiastical judges, and required 
to subscribe to Whitgift’s three articles, he refused, saying, 
that he was willing to subscribe as far as the laws of the 
realm required. With an evident design to ensnare his 
conscience, or accuse him upon his own confession, he was 
asked whether the Book of Common Prayer contained any 
thing contrary to the word of God; when he observed, that 
he was not bound by law to answer such an inquiry. Also, 
when he was asked whether he would, use the form of prayers 
and administration of the sacraments, as prescribed, and no 
other, he replied, that he did not consider himself bound 
by law to answer. He was then suspended from his 

ry-+ Having remained a considerable time under the 
ecclesiastical censure, he sent the following certificate to 
certain persons of quality: ‘‘ These may certify your 
honours, that I, Stephen Turner, minister of Arlington in 
§apeex, have been suspended from my charge this year and 
#q for refusing to subscribe, no other matter being 
Igid to my charge." ; 


506 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


He: subscribed the “ Book of Discipline,’* and. united 
with his brethren in their endeavours to promote the 
desired reformation of the church, meeting with. them 
in their private associations.t This persecuted servant 
of Christ died at Haverhil, where his remains were interred: 
Upon his grave was a monumental inscription: erected 
to his memory, of which Fuller gives the following 
translation : { : 
Grant some of knowledge greater store, 
More learned some in teaching ; 
Yet few. in life did lighten more, 
None thundered more in preaching. 


Myr. Ward was an excellent divine, of whom the famous 
Dr. William Whitaker had the highest opinion, and used 
to say, “* Give me John Ward for a text.’”’5, Mr. Richard 
Rogers, the worthy puritan minister of Wethersfield in 
Essex, married his widow. Mr. Ward had four sons in the 
ministry. Samuel and Nathaniel were puritan divines of 
distinguished eminence. Mr. Ward, the ejected noncon- 
formist, was most probably his son. | ae 


f 


Epucunp Rockrey, B. D.—He was fellow of Queea’s 
college, Cambridge, and a person distinguished for learning 
and a ilities, bat was brought into many troubles on account 
of his nornconformity. He was a mano t reputation 
and, in the year 1569, was chosen one of the proct yrs of the 
university.1 The year following, he was convened before 
the ruling ecclesiastics, and required to enter into a bond“of 
forty pounds, to appear from time to time before-the vice- 
chancellor or his deputy, until such matters should be 
determined and ended as were and should.be laid against 
him. After appearing several times befosp the ‘vive- 
chancellor, Dr. Whitgift, and the heads of colleges, it was 
decreed, “‘ that he should remain, continue, and quietly 
keep his chamber as a true prisoner, till the matters objeqted ‘ 
against him should be ended.”’#* | So 

Jt appears very probable that he continued under ‘casi 


*® Neal’s Puritans, vol. i. p. 423. cM 
+ Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. xv.. p. 79. te de 
} Fuller’s Worthies, part iii. p. 70. § Firmin’s Real Christian, Pref. 
|| Palmer’s Noncon. Mem. vol. iii. p. 284. _ _ 

q Fuller’s Hist. of Cam. p. 141. 

** Baker’s MS, Collec. vol, iii. p. 377, 378.: 


ROCKREY.  : 30% . 


finemenf€ a long time: for towards the close of thé yeat 
1571, he was again several times brought before the vice- 
chancellor heads of colleges; when “ Dr. Whitgift 
willed him to acknowledge and confess his fault, and openly 
to revoke his rashness in the same place, and before thé 
same company, where he had given the offence;” and in 
the.conclusion, he was required to make the following public 
recantation : : 

‘¢ For as much as on Sunday, being the 26th of No- | 
‘¢ vember, in this place before you, I disorderly stood up, 
“ (after that Dr. Chadderton, aving commandment from 
“¢ the vice-chancellor, had given warning that we should 
‘¢ not speak against such statutes as the queen’s majesty had 
<¢ sent to the university,) and spoke words tending to the 
<< complaining of such things 'as were then by our master 
<¢ sndken, to the discrediting’ of some about the queen’s 
<¢ majesty ; saying, that godly princes might be deceived by 
‘¢ hypocrites and flattcrers, as David was by Shebna, or 
ec sock like and to the derogation of the said statutes, and 
“¢ ¢ondemnation of some of them, saying, that they tended 
“‘ té: the impairing of the liberty and privileges of the 
<< ‘university, and that some of them were dircctly against 
<¢ God’s word. I therefore acknowledge my rashness and 
‘¢ indiscreetness in so doing, and am heartily sorry for them, 
‘¢ desiring you to think as it becometh dutiful subjects to 
<¢ think of the queen’s majesty, ber counsellors and laws, and 
< feverently obey the same, as I for my part intend to do, 
<¢ God willing, to the uttermost of my power. In witness 
<¢ whereof, I have subscribed this confession with my own 
< harid, and deliver the same here in your presence, to 
‘our master, to be by him also delivered to Mr. Vice- 
‘¢ chancellor.”’» 

From the above, we see the crimes with which Mr. 
Rockrey was charged, ther with the proceedings of thesé 
ruling’ Vstetiasticn Hes seems to have refused making this 
récantation. He would not defile his conscience, ‘b 
subscribing that which appeared to him contrary to trutl 
as well as a tyrannical invasion of christian liberty. Though 
he was several times summoned before his superiors, it is 
probable, our author adds, that he still continued in the same 
mind.t 


Mr, Rockrey scrupled wearing the ‘habits, for which, 
during the above troubles, he was deprived of his fellowship, 


© Baker’s MS, Collec. vol. ili. p, 382, $88. + Ibid. p. $84. 


908 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
and in effect, expelled from the university. Lord Burleigt 


’ 
the chancellor, procured his restoration, with a dispensation 
from wearing the habits for a twelvemonth, at the expiration 
of which, he was admonished three times by the mastey of 
the college, to conform himself in wearing the apparel. Bat 
he could not witha conscience comply, and, therefore, 
was finally expelled, as an example to keep others in a 
state of obedience.» He was one of the prebendaries of 
Rochester, where he was justly esteemer an admired and 

pular preacher; but, about the year 1584, was suspenties 
. from’ his ministerial function, and continued under the 
ecclesiastical censure many years.t 


H. Gray was a puritanical minister in Cambridge, and 
one of the preachers to the university.. “He delivered a 
sermon in St. Mary’s church, January 8, 1586, in which, he 
was charged with asserting the following opinions :—*‘ That 
the church of England doth maintain Jewish music, contrary 
to the word of God, which alone ought to sound in his 
,/church.—That it is contrary to the same word, to use. in 
sermons the testimonies of doctors and profane writers,— 
That to play at dice or cards is to crucify Christ.-~—That 
there are in this church dumb dogs, Jereboam’s priests, and 
Chemarins, that have place at the upper end of the altar, 
which by the word should have no place in the church,— 
That it is thought there be some among us who send over 
news to Rome and Rheims, and would have us all murdered. 
—That whoever would, might fill his hand, and be minister 
among us, as in the time of Jereboam ; whereby it cometh 
to pass that some go about the country to offer their service 
for ten pounds a year and a canvas doublet.—And that we 
celebrate the joyful time of the nativity throughout the land 
as atheists and epicures.”’} him. b 

or these assertions, all against him, he appears to 
have been called before the rulite ecclesiastics, when, he 
gave the following answers‘to the various accusations >— 
Concerning music, I had no set treatise against it, but 
only I made this simile, that set music and its curious notes 
is an‘imitation of the. Jewish music ; and because it ts not 
understood, it may delight, but not edify: so affected and 
curious eloquence, which the people cannot understand, 
“may affect and delight the outward sense, but it cannot enter 


* Strype’s Annals, vol. ii. p. 484. + MS. Register, p. 385, 585. 
t Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. xxx. p. 904. 7P , 


GRAY—MOORE.-. $09. 


and descend into the heart.—Concerning citing of fathers 
and profane authors, I did not teach that it was simply 
unlawful; but when we are to teach the simple people, and 
to instruct and build the conscience, we are not to stuff our 
sermons with authorities of fathers or sentences of profane 
writers.—Concerning carding and dicing, I spake only 
against the unlawful use of it, and shewed the abuse of the ~ 
celebration of the nativity.—I said that we have dumb 
dogs, and some such as were once Chemarins, when I did 
not, neither was it my purpose to, enter any question whether 
the might, or might not, lawfully be ministers.—I said, it 
is thought there be some among us, who are not of us, who 
lurk here to spy out what is done, that they may give notice 
to Rome; and they lie among us, that they may point out 
and set forth which of us should first go to the fire, when the 
days of mourning for Jacob should come: where I desire 
that my meaning may be thus interpreted, that I did not 
notice particulars, but spake only upon the probable 
suspicion, to stir us up to be diligent in searching whether 
there be any papists among us, who are the Lord’s and her 
mayjesty’s enemies.—l1 said, for want of restraint, every man 
may fill his hand, and consecrate himself, alluding to 2 | 
Ohron. xiii. I would have his to be considered, that in 
citing or alluding to any place, every word is not ta be 
observed, but the drift and Purpose for which it is alleged. 
—l said, that we have some ministers who are not worthy 
to stand in the belfrey, but they sit at the end of the altar. 
I protest this to have been my meaning, that those who were 
altogether unfit for the ministry, did supply the places of 
those who ought to have been learned ministers.”’» 

These were Mr. Gray’s answers to the foregoing accusa- 
tions. But it does not appear what prosecution was entered 


Rosert Moore was rector of Guisely in Yorkshire, 
and prosecuted for nonconformity. January 9, 1586, he 
was cited before the Archbishop of York and other high 
commissioners, when twenty charges were exhibited and | 

vated against him; but he so judiciously answered 
and so fully proved his own innecence, that he was 
acquitted by law. Upon the-complete failure of the prose- 
cution, the angry archbishop charged Mr. Moore with 


* Baker's MS, Collec. vol. xxx. p. 205. 


810 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


having said that he could not preach, calling him an old 
doating fool. This Mr. Moore denied upon his oath. When 
they failed in the proof of this charge also, his lordship was 
more angry than before; and seeing they could procure 
no evidence for any of their accusations, the good man was 
dismissed, and appointed to appear the week following. 
. January 16th, Mr. Moore appeared before the archbishop 
and nine other commissioners, when he was again chatged 
with the same crimes, and they said that now they: ceuld 
prove him guilty. To this he replied, that as he had already 
cleared himself of all charges, except that of refusing to 
observe in all points the Book of Common Prayer, which he 
did not out of contempt, but from conscience ; so, notwith- 
standing the malice of his enemies, he still stood on swe 
und, and no honest man could prove him guilty. Upon 
he was immediately threatened with imprisonment and 
utter ruin, if they should proceed against him according to 
law. In the conclusion, he was obliged to enter into a bond 
of a hundred pounds to observe the Book of Common 
Prayer, and was then dismissed. oo | 
.- The archbishop and his colleagues were aware of the 
disgrace that would necessarily fall upon their own +hea 
if Mr. Moore should escape without submission. ‘The 
they cited him a third time; and upon his appearance, 
presented him with the form of a recantation, requifing hi 
as the condition of obtaining their favour, to confegs- 
read the same publicly in his own church. But he abso- 
Jutely refused to purchase his liberty at so dear-a rate, 
declaring that he would be cast into prison, and even put to 
death, rather than thus dishonour the Lord by lying against 


ihe Holy Ghost and his own conscience. He was, re, 
again dismissed ; but two of his servants were committed to 
prison.» 


From the examination of Mr. Higgins, churchwarden of 
Guisely, before the above commissioners, January 10, 1586, 
which is now before me, Mr. Moore is evidently acquitted 
of the principal charges alleged inst him. The 
uprightness of his t, and the purity of his 

r, were thus made manifest, even in the face of his 
enemies, He was a zealous, faithful, and laborious minister, 
spending his strength and his long life for the salvation of 
Souis.+ 

It is observed of our divine, that he survived mest-af his 


* MS. Register, Pp. T8T. +- Ibid, pi: %88—700, 


E. GELLIBRAND. 311 


\ 
brethren, having lived to a great age. He baptized a 
child after he entered upon the benefice of Guiseley, and 
afterwards buried the same person threescore years of 
being rector of the place sixty-three years. He built the 
present stately parsonage house there : 


7 Epwanp Getiprand.— This (camed and pious divine 
pas fellow of Magdalen college, » and ‘a. person. 
distinguished eminence among’ the puritans in that univer- 
sity. He was much concerned for a further reformation of 
the church, and ever zealous in promoting the desired 
object. The letters from the classis in London and other 
places, were commonly addressed to him, and,. by the 
SPpomtnent ‘of the brethren, he usually answered them. 
January 12, .1585, he wrote a letter to Mr. John Field, 

ignifying how he had -consulted several. colleges -about 

h discipline, and a further reformation ; and that many 

Te Gisposed to favour it, but were afraid to testify any 
thing under their hands, lest it should bring them into trouble. 
This, letter, which, in the opinion of Dr. Bancroft, tended 
_ te. promote sedition, was the following :—“ I have,” says 
Mr. Gellibrand, “ already entered into the matters whereof 
s¢ you write, and dealt with three or four of several colleges, | 
¥, ing those among whom they live.: I find: that 
“men are very dangerous in-this point, generally savouring 
§ zeformation ; but when it comes to the particular point, 
££-g0me have not yet considered of those things for which 
“.others in the church are so much troubled. Others are 
‘afraid to testify any thing with their hands, lest it: should 
breed danger before the time. And many favour the 
“,cause of reformation, but they are not ministers, but 
« young students, of whom there is good hope, if it be not 
“ cut.off by violent dealing before the time. As I hear of 
“ you, 80 i mean to go forward, where there is any hope ; 
“ and to learn the. number, and certify.you thereof.” The 
. candid reader will easily judge how far this letter tended to 
promote sedition, being mercly designed to effect by the 
moet le :means, ‘a more pure yeformation of the 
charch.+ He united with many of his brethren m sube 
scribing the “ Book of Discipline.”’+ 
Apel , 1686, Mr. Gellibrand was cited before Archbishop 
1 * Thoresby’s Vicaria Leodientis, p. 65. 
‘ + Bancroft’s Dangerous Positions, p. 74, 75. 

$ -Neal’s Puritans, vel, i. p. 423. 


312 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Whitgift, Bishop Cooper of : Winchester, Bishop Piers of 
Salisbury, and other high commissioners. When he was 
called before their lordships, and the charges alleged against 
him had been read, the reverend archbishop thus addressed 
him :—‘‘ You have spoken against the ecclesiastical state 
and governors, as confirmed and established by the laws of 
this land. You have inveighed against the swelling titles of 
bishops and archbishops. “You are full of pride and arro- 
gancy, and the spirit of pride hath possessed you. And 
you have preached against the Bishop of Winchester, by 
which you have discou men from doing good to the 
church.” ‘Then said the Bishop of Winchester, “ If you 
had read any of the ancient fathers, or ecclesiastical 
histories, you could. not have been ignorant, that the office 
of archbishops was from the time of the apostles, though 
the name be not found in the scriptures. Other churches 
do not condemn ours, as we do not theirs. This discipline 
which you dream of, may peradventure be convenient for 
Geneva, or some such free city, which hath half a dosem 
villages joining to it; but not fora kingdom. You ares 
child, yea, a babe.” Lo 

Mr. Gellibrand, craving leave to answer for himself, re- 
plied to these accusations, and said, “‘ Concerning preaching 
against the Bishop of Winchester, I am guiltless. I was 
not present at his sermon, nor did I hear of his sermon till 
after I had preached, according to my oath already taken.” 
And being charged with speaking against the consecration 
-of bishops and archbishops, he replied, “ My words were 
uttered simply as the occasion offered from a note of Beza 
on Heb. ii. 10. And concerning my exhortation to those 
who suffer persecution for the sake of Christ, it was neces- 
rarily deduced from my text, in which the sufferings of 
christians are called the sufferings of Christ.” Then said 
Dr. Cosin, ‘ Such ifs are intolerable under the government 
of so gracious a prince. And it is a most grievous thing 
that you have made discipline a part of the gospel.” 

The archbishop next charged him with faving made a 
comparison between Jesuits, and nonresidents, saying, ‘< You 
make nonresidents worse than Jesuits, and in this com- 
parison there is neither truth, nor charity, nor honesty, nor 
christianity. I myself have been one of those whom you 
call nonresidents, and have done more by. preaching, 
partly in my own cure, and partly in other mens’, than you 
will do as long as you live. The church hath not been 
built by you, nor such as you; but by those whom you 


GLOVER. 313 


‘call ‘nonresidents ! !’”” Upon Mr. Gellibrand’s attempting to 

answer, he was interrupted, and not allowed to proceed. 

And when Dr. Cosin charged him with speaking against the 

Jaws of the land, he replied, “ I have long been of this 
inion, and so have many others, that nonresidents are 
owed by law.” 

Mr. Gellibrand being charged with seducing her majesty’s 
subjects, and with bringing the archbishop and bishops into 
contempt, which, it was said, gave much encouragement to 
spapists; he replied, “I never entered upon any discourse 
about the government of the church, but delivered the true 
- ‘sense of the scriptures.” When he was urged to a further 
eonsideration of the charges brought against him, and to 
submit to the court, he was carried out, until the commis- 
‘wioners determined what punishment should be inflicted 
upon him. -After some consultation, he was called in, 
when the archbishop thus addressed him :—*¢ You deserve 
mot only to be sequestered from your ministry, but to be 
expelled from your house, banished from the university, 

cast into prison; and all this we could inflict upon 
you; but we will not deal thus with you, if you will 
evoke your errors, and give satisfaction for your offences.” 
he good man was, therefore, suspended from his ministry, 
obliged to enter into a bond of a hundred pounds, either to 
wevoke his errors in such form as their lordships should- 
appoint, or to make his appearance at Lambeth at any time 
by them to be determined, when they would further proceed 
against him.» But it does not appear whether he recanted, 
or was brought under additional hardships by the relent- 
Jess prelates. 


' Epwarp GLover was a nonconformist to the church of 
England, as well in doctrine, as in ceremonies. He appears - 
to have mixed faith and works in the article of justification, 
and to have denied the doctrine of predestination; for 
which, in the year 1586, he, together with some others, was 

ended by Archbishop Whitgift, and cast into prison. 
' These persons, denominated “a poor handful of free-will 
men,” it is said, could not assemble in a private conventicl 
without attracting the rod of ecclesiastical censure, an 
suffering by means of the archbishop, the rigorous penalty 
of imprisonment. But whatever were their character and 


© MS. Register, p. 801808, 


Si4 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


opinions, they were so far excusable to the Lord Treasurer 
Burleigh, that he warmly espoused their cause, and wrote 
a letter to the archbishop in their favour.» In all proba- 
bility, says Mr. Toplady, Burleigh’s humane application 
to ‘the primate, in behalf of these theological delinguents, 
procured them a gaol-delivery, and set the free-will men 

rally free. This he conjectures from the letter of thanks, 
which Mr. Glover afterwards wrote to the treasurer. Mr. 
Glover, says he, lays all the cause of his and his brethren’s. 
imprisonment, on their dissenting from Luther’s doctrine 
of justification without works, and from Calvin’s doctrine 
of unconditional predestination; and loudly complains of 
the “iniquity and tyranny” of their prosecutors: -which 
included a tacit fling at the archbishop himself. :Had:they 
not just cause to complain both of iniquity and tyranmy? 
And was not the archbishop the very person who exercised 
this cruel oppression? ‘Without approving of their senti- 
ments, it may be asked, what Sreater right shad he -to cast 
{hem into prison, merely for difference of religious opinions, 
than they to cast him into prison, for the same cause? 
His lordship having the sword in his own hayds, will afford 
ho satisfactory answer to this question. But our awthor 
further observes, “ the bishops had just as much regard for 
the free-will men, as St. Paul: had for the viper he shook 
into the fire.”+ This representation, which contains too 
much truth, will remain‘a stigma upon their character, and 
a reproach to their memory, as long as men are disposed to 
examine the impartial records of history. 


a | 


Joun Watwarp, D. D.—He was professor of divinity 
at Oxford, and a man of great learning, but involved in 
much trouble for noncontormity. He was summoned 
before the high commission, April 7, 1586, and appeared 
before Archbishop Whitgift, Bishop Aylmer, the Bishops 
of Winchester and Sarum, and other -commissi at 
@ambeth. And for having taught, that the order .of« the 
Jewish synagogue and eldership, was adopted inte: the 
christian church, by Jesus Christ and his apostles; ‘and 
asserting that the same was designed as a perpetual modal 
of church government, he was enjoined a: public recanta- 
tion, and suspended from his public exercises inthe onéver- 
sity, till it should be performed. As the whole -of:: this 

* Strype’s Annals, vol. iii. p. 431. 

+ Toplady’s Historic Proof, vol. il. p. 90%, 402. ' 


WALWARD. ~ 315 


affair, attested by the hand of Abraham Hartwell, notary 
public, is now before me, it will be proper to tran- 
scribe it. 
_ The above commissioners decreed, “ That the said John 
‘W alward shall, upon some Sunday in the afternoon, deliver 
asermon in the parish church of Alhallows in Oxford, wherein 
he shall not in any way, either covertly or openly, impugn 
any part of the government ecclesiastical now received and 
used in the church of England; but shall stir up all his 
hearers to unity, peace, obedience, and the good liking of 
the laws, orders, and present government of this church; 
and shall, also, in such his sermon publicly and distinctly 
read, without any addition, diminution, or alteration, the 
form of words following, signifying that he is so enjoined 
by authority for his demerits.” Then follows the form of 
his recantation, expressed in these words : 
- S¢ Whereas I, John Walward, the 22d of February last, 
$< preaching in this place, amongst other things, did utter, 
«“ ¢ That the order of a Jewish sy e governed by an 
# eldership, which I untruly affirmed to be still observed in 
« Germany and Spain, was established by Jesus Christ and 
© his apostles to continue for ever, to admonish, to suspend, 
§© to interdict, and to excommunicate in every congregation : 
£¢ that the same was practised by the apostles, and long after 
‘<,in the better times of the church: that those who are put 
‘¢in authority, according -to the laws of this land, by the 
‘© bishops and other ecclesiastical persons, to see such 
«¢ censures executed, are not sufficiently warranted th 
‘© but are in danger of God’s heavy judgment; therefore, 
“ ie pastor of the congregation where the offender dwelleth, 
$6 an interest, and ought-to have a dealing therein.’ 
‘¢ And, whereas, I did then also affirm matter to the de- 
‘< praying of the office of archdeacons, and the canons agreed 
‘€ upon in the last convocation, and confirmed by her 
“ majesty’s authority: and did avouch a necessary, .sub- 
‘$6 stantial, and unalterable platform of government and dis 
§* cipline to haye been left by Christ, for hearing, ordering, 
‘© and determining all cases and causes of censure, which I 
© then said ought of necessity to be by the ministry and 
& presbytery of the congregation where the offender 
S dwelleth, to the impeaching of her majesty’s authority 
‘“ in. causes. ecclesiastical, to the discredit .of the. ; present 
“ government of the church of England wherein I live, to 
“the breach of the unity and peace of it, and to an ill 
“ example and offence to others. And further, whereas I 


316 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


‘ promised after my said sermon, if I might be suffered to 
“ continue my divinity lecture, I would not meddle in any 
‘<< matters tending to the disturbancc of the peace and unity 
“ of the church, or just offence of any. I did, notwith- 
“ standing, shew myself the same man I was before, by 
‘¢ bitter and factious speeches, and complaining that I was 
“ thus treated, as I thought, without just desert. I do here, 
“ therefore, in the sight of God, and fou my brethren, 
“ frankly acknowledge, my unadvised dealing herein, and 
“ my oversight in the former points, heartily desiring you 
“all to be satisfied with this my unfeigned and humble 
‘“‘ submission.’’* : 

When Dr. Walward appeared before his ecclesiastical 
judges, he was obliged to enter into a bond of one hundred 

unds to make this debasing public recantation ; and in case 

e failed to perform it according to the order and form pre- 

scribed, he should not only forfeit his hundred pounds, but 
within four days appear again at Lambeth, to receive suck 
censure as his case might deserve. For the better execution 
of the above decrees, a letter was addressed to the vice 
chancellor: of Oxford, requiring and authorizing him to 
see that they should in all points be duly executed ; and int’ 
case of Welward’s failure in complying with them, to brin 
him again before the high commission.at Lambeth.+ This 
learned divine was thus debased by the tyrannical prelates ! 
He was compelled to sacrifice the right of private judgment, 
_ and the liberty of conscience, at the shrine of their earped 
power and authority. 


Joon GARDINER was the laborious minister of Malden 
in Essex, but deprived of his ministry, and most cruelly 
treated. His sufferings would have moved the compassion 
of any man, excepting Aylmer, bishop of London. The 
bishop committed him to Newgate for matters scandalously 
laid to his charge seven years before, of which he had even 
been cleared by a regular course of law. He requested his 
lordship, that he might be bailed; and if he was found 

ilty, that he might have punishment without: mercy. 

e account of his barbarous usage is given in a supplica- 
tion which Mr. Gardiner sent to the bishop, dated Septemis ’ 
ber 7, 1586 ; in which he expressed himself as follows :5 


_ © MS. Register, p. 800. + Ibid. p. 801. § Ibid. p. 752. 


Fa 


GARDINER—STANDEN. 817 


‘© To the Right Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop 


“ of London. 

« My duty in humble-wise remembered, my lord. I am 
<¢ cast into Newgate by your lordship, for a matter which 
“ about seven years past, was slanderously raised against 
‘©me. Iwas by course of law cleared, and the Lord God 
“who searcheth the hearts, before whom.you and I shall 
“ shortly appear, doth know, and him [I call to witness, 


_ .& that I was and am falsely.accused. | have been extremely 


<¢ sick in prison. I thank God, I am amended, but am yet 
“ so ill, that the physicians say my infection from the prison 


_ © will be very dangerous. I have a poor wife and five 


‘¢ children, who are in a lamentable case. I had six at the 
<¢ beginning of my imprisonment; but by reason of: my 
“¢ sickness in prison, and my wife being constrajned: to 


- © attend upon me, one of. my children, for want of some- 


‘© body to oversee them, was drowned in a tub of wort, 
“ being two years.and a half old. If your lordship have-no 
“ compassion on me, yet take pity upen the widow and 
‘¢ fatherless, (for in that state are now my wife and poor 
“¢ infants) whose tears are before the Lord. I crave only 
6¢ to be bailed; and if I am found guilty of any breach. of 
“< law, let me have extremity without any favour. - Your 
$6 lordship’s to command in Christ. =~ 7 
| _ © Joun GARDINER.” . 


It does not appear how long Mr. Gardiner remained in 


prison, nor what other punishment he endured. He was 


a member of the presbyterian church erected at Wands- 


.. worth in Surrey; and he united with his brethren in sub- 


scribing the “ Book of Discipline.”’* 


- “-Nicnotas Stanpen was educated in the university of 


Cambridge; he became rector of St. Magaret-Pattens, 
Eondon; but was deprived, it is supposed, for noncon- 
formity, in 1568.+ He was a learned and religious man, an 
orthodox divine, and ever zealous for a reformation of the 
church; often meeting with his brethren to promote the 
desired object. About the year 1570, he was chaplain to 


the Earl of Warwick, in his expedition against the rebela 


in the north.t. In 1572, he. was a member of the presby- 


* Fuller’s Church Hist. b. ix. p. 103.—Neal’s Puritans, vol, i. p. 428. 
-- + Newcourt’s Repert. Eccl. vol. i. p. 409. 
¢ MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 373. is) 


318 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


terian church erected at Wandsworth in Surrey.* About 
two years after this, he was accused of being concemmed in 
Undertree’s sham plot; and with Mr: Bonham, another 
puritan minister, was cast into prison: but upon their ex- 
amination, being found innocent, they were both acquitted 
and released by order of the council.+ Mr. Standen an 
Mr. Bonham were convened before the high commission 
for nonconformity,. and committed ‘to prison, where they 
remained a long time. After having endured a shameful 
confinement, together with the sickness of the prison, they 
were released by order of the queen, as will appear more at 
fge in another place.} : 
r. Standen, with other nonconformable ministers, wroté 
an answer to thig question, “* Whether the ministers, fot 
certain ceremonies laid upon them under pretence of policy 
only, may forsake their ministry ?” Upon this question, he 
ives his opinion with great freedom, particularly against , 
use of the cross in baptism. He proves with great 
clearness, that the use of the cross in that ordinance, is 
wholly founded in superstition ; that it can answer no good 
whatever, but oftentimes a bad one; and consé- 
quently, that it ought to be laid aside; This divine being 
always anxious to obtain better regulations in the church, 
united with his brethren about the year 1586, in subscribing 
the “ Book of Discipline.” 


Joun Fiztp, A. M.—This excellent divine was a great 
sufferer in the cause of nonconformity. There, having bee: 
several persons of the same name, has rendered it rather 
difficult to distinguish them; yet this Mr. John Field 
appears to have been fellow of Lincoln college, Oxford. 

ood intimates, that he was afterwards a famous preacher 
at St. Giles, Cripplegate, London; but this is. rather 
doubtful.*+ It is certain, however, that he was the excellent 
minister of Aldermary church, in the city. - 

The puritans having in vain sought for a further refarma- 
tion from the queen and the bishops, resolved in future to 
apply to the parliament, and stand by the constitution. 
Accordingly, they made all the interest in their power 
among the members, and compiled a treatise, setting forth 


* Fuller’s Church Hist. b. ix. p. 103. + Strype’s Parker, p. 466. 
See Art. Bonham. of a Reg 
MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 813, (8.)}—Parte of a Register, p. 409. ., 
i Neal’s Puritans, vol, i, p. 423, 6 ## Athens Oxohk, vol: 1. p. 188. 


L) 


FIELD. Lt «$18 


their numerous grievances ‘in one view. This was drawn 
up by Mr. Field, assisted. by Mr. Thomas Wilcocks, and 
was revised by several of the brethren. The work: was 
entitled ‘ An Admonition to.the Parliament ;” with Beza’s 

letter to the Earl of Leicester, and :Gualter’s to Bisho 
Parkhurst, ‘for reformation .of church discipline, annexed: 
It contains the platform of a church; the manner of electing 
ministesss with their several duties, and their equality in 
government. It then exposes, with some: sharp language, 
the corruptions of the hierarchy, and the tyrannical proceed 
ings. of the. bishops. The Admonition concludes witha 
petition to both houses, that discipline, more consonant: to 
the word of God,.and agreeable to the foreign reformed 
charches, may be estabkshed by law. Their attempt to 
procure an establishment of their own opinions, Mr. Peirce 
justly observes, was the greatest fault in the book, or in any 
of ‘the attempis which the puritans made. With unan- 
swerable evidence they exposed. the corruptions of the 
established ecclesiastical government, and particularly the 
ution and tyranny by which it.was upheld. But I 
, says he, could they have obtained their desire of the 
iament, the platform which they proposed, must have 
established by some persecuting laws; which I cannot 
find that Christ ever appointed his ministers to use for the 
advancement of: his kingdom. All compulsion, -.and: all 
enforcing of ecclesiastical discipline, by civil penalties, is 
uite contrary to the spirit of christianity.» Mr. Field and 
. Wilcocks presented the Admonition themselves to the 
parliament; for which, July 7, 1572, they were sent to 
prison; and after examination, they were, by the instigation 
of: the bishops, committed to Newgate.+ Upon this, the 
book, already printed, was suffered to go abroad, and it 
passed through no less than four editions in about two years; 
notwithstanding all the vigilant endeavours of the bishops to © 
ress it.t 
e'two prisoners were indicted, and sentenced: to suffer 
imprisonment one whole year, which they did accordingly. 
After having suffered confinement some months in a most 
loathsome prison, by which their health was preatly 
myeired, they petitioned their-noble friend, the Karl. of 
tater, to procure their removal to some other: prison; 
wise they should meet with better usage. Their wives 
aad: children. also presented a petition. to the ~ same 

* Peirce’s Vindication, part i. p. 84, 85. + MS. Register, p. 118. 

+ Strype’s Parker, p. M7. 


920 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


nobleman, earnestly desiring him to move the queen to 
discharge them from prison, on account of their great 
sufferings, and their extreme poverty and want. But these 
two petitions were without effect.» The prisoners still 
remained in close confinement, enduring many extreme 
hardships; and though they were committed to pri 
three months previous to receiving the sentence, and 
remained in prison twelve months after conviction, according 
to the cruel tenor of the sentence, they could not, even at 
the expiration of that period, obtain their liberty. Under 
these afflictive circumstances, they presented the following 
petition to the lords of the council : 

sc W hereas, night honourable lords, your poor and daily 
“ orators, John Field and Thomas Wilcocks, being indicted 
“ before the lord mayor and court of aldermen, in the city 
<¢ of London, upon a statute of the first year of her majesty’s 
<< most happy and ious reign, entitled ‘ An Act for the 
« Uniformity of Common Prayer,’ &c. were adjudged to 
‘¢ suffer imprisonment by the of one whole year, which 
“ they have already fally endured, according to the effect 
<<‘ of the said statute. And now being given to understa 
« that they cannot be discharged otherwise than by a j 
‘order from your good lordships, they most humbly, and 
“¢ for Jesus Christ’s sake, pray and beseech your honogn, 
“ to take pity of their great poverty and extreme necessity, 
“ now come upon them and their poor wives and children, 
‘‘ through their so long imprisonment. And that in yqur 
“accustomed clemency, so graciously and continually 
<¢ extended towards all ber majesty’s subjects, you will also 
“‘ youchsafe, in compassion to their great misery, take order 
‘¢ for their enlargement. And as in duty they are bound, 
‘“‘ so they and theirs will daily pour out their hearty prayers 
“to Almighty God, for his merciful favour, and most 
gracious protection, to be extended to your lordshipe for 
‘C ever, Amen.”’+ 

During their imprisonment, they also petitioned the Earl 
of Leicester, humbly entreating him to be a means of 
forwarding their petition to the council. In_ this petition, 


they express themselves thus :—‘‘ This in all h 

“ sheweth unto your honour, that your poor and faithfel 
“ orators, John Field and Thomas Wilcocks, upon Octahberz 
_ 62, 1572, by virtue of a certain statute made the first year 
“ of her majesty’s reign, were convicted and committed to 


* MS. Register, pe 118. + Ibid. p- Hit.. 


FIELD. a $e 


‘< prison, there to continue for the space of one whole year, 
6‘ and have now endured patiently all that time, besides a 
“¢ quarter of a year before conviction, to their great charge 

s¢ and utter undoing. May it, therefore, please your honour 
, “for the tender mercies of God, and in consideration of 
*¢ them, their poor wives and children, to be a means with 
“ the rest of her majesty’s most honourable privy council, 
“ to whom they have exhibited their most humble supplica- 
“¢ tion that they, may be released and discharged, and as much 
“ asin your honour lieth, to promote and turther the same. 
s¢ So they shall be greatly comforted, after this their tedious 
*¢ and long imprisonment; and they will not be unmindful 
“to pray for your lordship’s great and continued pros- 
“ perity.”* It does not, however, appear whether they 

were released, or still detained in a state of confinement. 

During the imprisonment of these two divines, Dr. 
Whitgift published his “ Answer to the Admonition,” in 
which he brought many severe charges against its authors: 
as, “That they were disturbers of good order; enemies to 
the state; and as holding many dangerous heresies.” To 
these slanderous charges, they wrote a reply, entitled “ A 
brief Confession of Faith, written by the Authors of the first 
' Admonition to the Parliament, to testify their Persuasion in 
the Faith, against the uncharitable Surmises and Suspicions 
of Dr. Whitgift, uttered in his Answer io their Admonition, 
in Defence both of themselves and their Brethren.” This 
Confession was written from Newgate, dated September 4, 
1572, and contains a very judicious and comprehensive 

statement of their religious opinions, upon the principal 
doctrines of the gospel.+. | 
‘In the month of September this year, Archbishop Parker 
one of his chaplains to confer with the two prisoners in 
wgate, most probably with a view to convince them of 
their supposed errors, and bring them to a recantation. 
Duri this conference, they acknowledged themselves to be 
the authors of the Admonition, saying, “ We wrote a book 
in parliament time, which should be a time of speaking and 
writing freely, justly craving redress and reformation of 


* MS. Register, p.118. 

+ Upon the holy scriptures, they say, ‘* We hold that they alone ought 
“ to be preached, and the whole of them preached, and nothing kept back ; 
* and that it is not lawful for men, or for angels, to add any thing thereto, 
<* or take any thing therefrom. And we affirm, that no antiquity, custom, 
<< futerpretation, or opinion of men, no, nor statute or ordinance of any 
“* pope, council, parliament, or prince, may be set against the word of 
“ == Ibid, p. 119—182. 

VOL. I. Y 


S28 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


many abuses, for which we are so uncourteously treated.” 
A particular account of this conference is given in another 


There being no rospect of any further reformation ef 
the church by the legislature, some of the leading paritans 

teed to attempt it in a more private way. For. this 

urpose, they erected a presbytery at Wandsworth in 

urrey ; which, being seated on the banks of the ‘Thames, 
was convenient for the brethren in London. Among the 
members of this society was one Mr. Field, lectwrer: of 
Wandsworth, and undoubtedly this painful sufferer for 
nonconformity. The formation of this presbytery is said te 
have been in the year 1572; in which case, it must not heave 
been in the month of November, as some have supposed 
but previous to the month of July; for on the seventh of 
July, this year, Mr. Field and Mr. Wilcocks were committed 
to prison, and remained in close confinement, at least till 
towards the close of 1573. 

Mr. Strype observes, that while these sufferers for 
conscicnce were closely confined in Newgate, they were 
frequently visited by their brethren, Drs. F and 
Humphrey, and Messrs. Wyburn,. Cartwright,. Deering, 
Lever, Crowley, Johnson, and Brown. And upon. 
appearance before the council, they were told, that unless 

ey could obtain the queen’s pardon, they must be banished 
from their country, for the singular crime of disliking ,the 
Book of Common Prayer ;+ though at that time there wag.no 
law in existence requiring such punishment. Whether they 
ever sought to her majesty for pardon, we are not able to 
learn; only in 1574, Mr. Field, we find, was minister of 
Aldermary church, London.} Though he was released from 
prison, his troubles were not over. In the year 1577, he was 
‘ cited before Bishop Aylmer, who pronounced him obstinate, 
for having taught children in gentlemens’ houses, contxary 
to the prohibitions of the archbishop. Bishop Aylmer, 
therefore, recommended that both Mr. Field and. Mr, 
Wilcocks might be sent into the most barbarous parts of 
Staffordshire, Shropshire, Lancashire, or other places, wh 
his lordship observed, they might be profitably employ 
in reclaiming people from the ignorance and errors «of 


ak ie - 
_ What the bishop recommended wag undoubtedly a more 


* See Art. Wilcocks. + Strype’s Parker, p. 418. 
+ MS. Register, p. 285. ' § Strype’s Aylmer, p. 55, 56. . 


FIELD. . 323 


moderate kind of punishment than close confinement from 
one year to another, in a filthy, cold prison; and was 
indeed, exceedingly moderate for a prelate of his tyrannical 
principles. Accordingly, Mr. Field was silenced or sepa- 
rated from the people of his charge. The parishioners of 
Aldermary, ‘at the same time, used every effort in their 
power to procure his restoration. They applied to the 
Archbishop, as well as to the Bishop of London, but without 
success. They also presented two supplications to the Earl 
of Leicester, being one of the council, to be a means of 
romoting his restoration. ~— ; 
These supplications are now before me, in one of which 
they expressed themselves as follows :—‘‘ We, in most 
‘¢ humble-wise, beseech your honour, that whereas of late 
“ we did to our comfort enjoy, one Mr. Field to be our 
‘¢ preacher, who laboured painfully amongst us‘for the 
“space of four years, in preaching the word of God, and 
“ catechizing our youth, teaching obedience both to God 
“<< and our prince, and keeping us in good order. Whereas 
¢¢ since his restraint and inhibition, we are left as scattered 
<¢ sheep upon the mountains, and have -none ordinarily to 
“ break unto us the bread of life, than which‘a greater evil 
<¢ cannot ‘come upon us. Hearing that God of his great 
“ goodness hath made you the honoured instrument of 
<“‘ restoring many, we, your humble suppliants, beseech 
“ you even for the cause of:God, to be a means also for us. 
“ We feel’ persuaded that, if the matter be fairly examined, 
“there will be no cause found in him why. he should 
<¢ be sequestered from us. For we are able to witness to 
ce your onour, even in the presence of Him who seeth all 
« hearts, that to our knowledge he ever behaved himself 
<< wisely and faithfully, as became a true minister of Jesus 
“‘ Christ. The things urged against him were never hindered, 
«impugned, or any way resisted by him, but were dul 
‘¢ kept and observed. And seeing that which he receive 
<Cwas Out of our purses, without any burden upon the 
<¢ church whatever, we cannot help feeling ourselves hardly 
“¢ treated, that without cause he should be taken from us. 
<¢ ‘We have used what means we could with the Archbishop 
é¢ and Bishop of London; but as we could learn of them no 
“<< cause of his sequestration, so we could receive no favour- 
«* able answer for his restoration. ‘We beseech your honour, — 
<< therefore, in behalf of ourselves, our wives, our children, 
<< and our servants, so to stand forth our good lord in this 
S¢ our necessary and holy snit, as that by your means, he 


8% LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


6¢ may be again restored: So shall many hearts be made 
sé glad; and we shall evermore pray for your bonour’s long 
“ and happy state. Your honour’s poor suppliants ever to 
¢ command, of the parish of Aldérmary, in London.”’s. 
How long Mr. Field continued under the ecclesiastical 
censure, or whether he was ever restored to his charge at 
Aldermary, appears extremely doubtful. . . 
The next account we meet with of this excellent divine, 
is, that in 1582, he was ed, with several other learned 
men, in a disputation with certain papists in the Tower; 
but our information is so extremely scanty, that he is only 
said to have taken an active part in those learned dispnta- 
tions,+ and to have collected and published an account of 
them, after it had undergone the exarhination of the persons 
‘who engaged. In 1584, we find him brought into other 
troubles, when he was suspended by the Bishop of London. 
The cause of his suspension was, his admitting an assembl 
of ministers at his house, among whom were several 
divines. These divines being disaffected to the hierarchy, 
the assembly was declared to be an unlawful conventi 
Mr. Field was, therefore, suspended from his ministry, for 
entertaining them, and the rest were deprived for refzing 
subscription.t How long he continued under ion, 
and whether he was ever restored, is very uncertain. He 
died in February, 1587, when his remains ‘were interred in 
Cripplegate church, London. Mr. Field, a short time before 
his death, united with his brethren in subscribing the “ Book 
of Discipline.’ 


His Works.—1. Prayers and Meditations for the use of 
-Families, 1581.—2. A Caveat for Parsons Howlet, concerning his 
untimelye Flighte, and Scriching in the clear Day Lighte of the Gospel, 
necessarie for him, and all the rest of that darke Brood, and uncleane 
Cage of Papists, 15813. Exposition of the Symbol of the Apostles, 
1581.—4. A godly Exhortation, by occasion of a late Judgment of | 
God at Paris Garden, 1583.—He published Translations of many of 
Calvin’s Sermons, and the productions of other learned men. 


_ Joun Huckze was pastor of the church at Aythorp 
Roding in Essex, but prosecuted by Bishop Aylmer, for 
nonconfo . Mr. Strype is pleased to stigmatize him 
as a busy body, an enemy to the peace of the church, § 
| @ MS, Register, p. 285. : 

+ Strype’s Annals, vel. ii. p,641.—Life of Parker, p. 219.—Charton’s 
Life of Nowell, p. 278. bd 
«MB. Register, p. 400, 568, 569.  § Neal's Paritams, vel. &. p.403- 


: HUCKLE. | $95 


transgressor of its orders, an impugner of the common prayer, 
a gatherer of night-conventicles, and a busy disputer against 
the Athanasian creed ; and, therefore, to reclaim him from 
his dangerous errors, the bishop suspended him from his 
ministry.* : 

Upon his suspension, Mr. Huckle laid his case before the 
Jords of the council, and procured the following letter, dated 
from Greenwich, May 4, 1584, addressed to the bishop :+ 


‘¢ Our hearty commendations to your lordship. 

. The bearer, John Huckle, minister of the word of God, 
. 6 bath been here before us, who, with his confession of faith 
<< and solemn protestation, doth seem to detest Arianism, and 
‘¢ every other the like heresy with which he may be charged ; 
<¢ and offereth to subscribe Athanasius’s creed, and to testify 
«to the world, by any other means, his sincere and un- 
<<‘ feigned belief of the doctrine contained in the same. And 
‘¢so far as we can find, he is a man clear and sound in 
<¢. religion, and no other matter, according to our knowledge, 
<< can be proved against him. We, therefore, see no cause 
éc why he should be any longer suspended from the exercise 
‘¢ of his ministry ; and we pray your lordship, that you will ' 
< now, upon his recognition, revoke your suspension, and 
:treat him with all convenient favour; whereby he may be 
“ the better encouraged, and the more able to discharge the 
“ duty belonging to him. And so we bid your lordship 
« hearty farewell. Your very loving friends, 

: ‘© Wittiam Burauiey, Ep. Warwick, 

‘Fr. KNOLLEs, Fr. W ats INGHAM, 
“ CuarRLes Howarp, Hen. Sypney.” 


Sach was the opinion and commendation of these distin- 
guished persons, but the bishop was of another mind; and, 
notwithstanding Mr. Huckle’s protestation and readiness to 
subscribe, the hard-hearted prelate refused to restore him. 
This appears from his lordship’s answer to the couticil’s 
letter; wherein he says, ‘‘ If I should restore him, I 
could not answer for it before God, her majesty, my own 
censcience, nor the church of God.”+ Such was the 
sentiment of this relentless prelate! He was unwilling to 
rescind his own determination, though recommended so to 
- do by the greatest persons in-the land ; therefore, Mr. Huckle, 
with many others, who fell into the hands of this lordly 
ecclesiastic, remained under suspension, at least for several 


 @ Strype’s Aylmer, p.108. + MS. Register, p. 584. t Ibid. 


326 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


years ;. and whether he was ever restored, is extremely 
doubtful. In the year 1587, he was among the, suspended 
ministers of Essex, who, to obtain some redress of their 
grievances, presented a supplication to parliament, an 
account of which is given in another place.* 


Joun Fox, A. M.—This celebrated man, usually deno- 
minated the English Martyrologist, was born of respectable 
parents at Boston in Lincolnshire, in the year 1517. His 
ather dying when he was young, and his mother marrying 
again, he came under the guardianship of his father-in-law. 
At the age of sixteen, he was sent to Brazen-nose coll 
Oxford; and afterwards he became fellow of M: en 
college; in the same university. Inthe days of his youth, 
he discovered a genius and taste for poetry, and wrote 
several Latip comedies, upon subjects taken from the 
scriptures, : 

For some time after his going to the university, Mr. Fox 
was strongly attached to the superstitions and errors of 
popery e was not only zealous for the Romish church 

strictly moral in his life, but reyected the doctrine o 
justification by faith in the imputed righteousness of Christ, 
and concluded himself to be sufficiently safe by trusting in 
the imaginary merit of his own self-denial, penances, alms- 
deeds, and compliance with the ceremonies of the church. 
Afterwards, by the blessing of God upon his studies, he was 
delivered from this self-righteousness, and led to submit 
hiniself to the righteousness of Jesus Christ. And by his 
indefatigable researches into ecclesiastical history, together 
with the writings of the fathcrs, but especially by his 
thorough acquaintance with the holy scriptures, he was 
convinced of the immense distance to which the church of 
Rome had departed from the faith, and spirit, and practice 
of the gospel. : 

In order to make himself a more competent judge of the 
controversy, which now began to be warml Tiscussed 
betwixt protestants and papists, he searched all the ancient 
and modern histories of the church with indefatigable 
assiduity. His labours to find out the truth were indeed sa 
great, that, before he was thirty years of age, he read all the 

reek and Latin fathers, all the schoolmen, and the decrees 
of councils, and made considerable progress in other 


* See Art. George Gifford. 


. FOX. | SOT. 


Branches of useful knowledge. During this close applica-« 
tion, he avoided all kinds of company, and betook himself 
to the most solitary retirement, often spending whole nights 
in hisstudy. At length, from this strict and severe applica- 
tion, having forsaken his old popish friends, and ftom the 
dubious manner in which he spoke, when he was obliged to 
give his opinion on religious sabjects, but, above all, from 
his sparing attendance on the public worship of the national 
ehutch, in which he had been remarkably strict, he was 
suspected of alienation from her constitation and ceremonics, 
and of being infected with heresy. 
' Mr. Fox having found the truth, soon became bold and 
courageous in the profession of it, even in those dark times 
ef popery. He chose rather to suffer affliction with the 
people of God in the cause of truth, than enjoy the pleasures 
of sin for a season. Being deeply impressed with the 
declaration of our Lord, “ Whosoever is ashamed of me, 
and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, 
of ‘him: shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh 
m the glory of his Father, with his holy angels ;” he deter- 
mined to venture the loss of all things for the sake of Christ; 
and, therefore, openly professed himself a protestant. This 
he had no sooner done, than he was publicly accused of 
heresy, and expelled from the college. His -adversaries, 
indeed, thought they dealt favourably in suffering him to 
éscape with his life. ‘This was in the year 1545.» Wood, 
by mistake, says, he resigned his fellowship, and left the 
university, to avoid expulsion.+ 

Mr. Fox being expelled from the university, lost the 
favour of his friends and relations. As he was convicted 
of heresy, they thought it unsafe, and were therefore 
tanwilling, to countenance or protect him. His father-in- 
Jaw, in particular, seized this opportunity of withholding 
from ‘him the estate which his own father had left him. 
While he was thus forsaken and oppressed, God, in the 
hour of extremity, raised up an unexpected friend and 
patron, in Sir Thomas Lucy of Warwickshire. ‘This worthy 
person took him into his house, and made him tutor to his 
children. Here he found a comfortable asylum from the 
storm of persecution. While in this situation, he married a 
eitizen’s daughter of Coventry, but still continued, in Sir 
Thomas’s family till his pupils were grown up. Afterwards, 


-# Life of Mr. Fox prefixed to his ‘* Acts and Monuments of the 
Martyrs.”’ . 
+ Athens Oxon. vol. i, p. 196. 


928 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


with some difficulty, he procured entertainment sometimes 
at the house of his father-in-law, and sometimes at the house 
of his wife’s father in Coventry, till a little before the death 
of King Henry VIII., when he removed to London. 

For a considerable time after his removal to the metro 
lis, having no employment, nor yet any preferment, 
ae again reduced to extreme want. However, by the 
kind providence of God, he was at length relieved, in the 
following remarkable manner: As he was sitting one day in 
St. Paul’s church, his countenance being pale, his eyes 
hollow, and like a ghastly, dying man, a person, whom he 
never remembered to have seen before, came and sat down 

_ by him, and accosting him with much familiarity, put a 
sum of money into his hand, saying, ‘“ Be of good comfort, 
Mr. Fox. Take care of yourself, and use all means to 

reserve your life. For, depend upon it, God will, ia a 
ew days, give you a better prospect, and more certain 
means of subsistence.”” Though he could never learn from 
whom he received this seasonable relief, within three days 
of that memorable event, he was taken. into the family of 
the Duchess of Richmond, to be tutor to the Earl of 
Surrey’s children, whose education was committed to her _ 
care.* . . so, 
Mr. Fox continued in this honourable family, at Ryegate 
in Surrey, during part of the reign of Henry VIII.,. the 
whole of Edward VI., and part of Queen Mary’s. Bishop 
Gardiner, a most bloody persecutor, in whose diocese he 
found so comfortable and safe a retreat, would have brought 
him to the stake, had he not been protected by the Duke of 
Norfolk, who had been one of his pupils. Mr. Fox, it is 
said, was the first person who ventured to preach the ] 
at Ryegate; and with deep concern, Gardiner beheld. the 
heir to one of the noblest families in England, trained up, 
under bis influence, to the protestant religion. This 
late formed various designs against the safety of Mr.. Fox; 
and sought by numerous stratagems, to effect his ruin. -The 
good man, who was less suspicious of the bishop, than the 
ishop .was of him, was obliged, at: length, to quit his | 
native country, and seek refuge in a foreign land. The 
duke, who loved and revered him as a father, sheltered him 
from the storm as long as he was able; and when Mr. Fox 
was obliged to flee for safety, he took care to provide him 
~ with every comfortable accommodation for the voyage. 


* Life of Mr. Fox.. 


FOX. $99. 


- He set sail from fpswich, accompanied by his wife, and 
some other persons, who left the country on a similar 
_account. The vessel had no sooner got to sea, than a tre- 
“mendous storm arose, which obliged them to return to port 
next day. Having with great difficulty reached the land, 
Mr. Fox was saluted with indubitable information, that 
Bishop Gardiner had issued warrants for appreliending him, 
and that the most diligent search had been made for him, 
during his absence at sea. He, therefore, prevailed upon’ 
the master of the ship to put to sea again, though the 
attempt was extremely dangerous; and in two days, they 
arrived at Newport in Flanders.. ‘Thus, by the kind provi- 
. dence of God, he a second ‘time, narrowly escaped the 
fire.* : 
- - After his arrival in Flanders, Mr. Fox travelled to 
. Antwerp, then to Frankfort in Germany; where he was 
involved in the troubles excited by the officious and unkind 
Proceedings of Dr. Cox and his party.t The first settlers 
at ort being driven from the ¢lace, Mr. Fox re- 
moved to Basil in Switzerland, to which city many of his 
fellow exiles accompanied him. Basil was then one of the 
most famous places in Europe, for printing; and many of | 
the English refugees, who retired thither, procured their 
subsistence by revising and correcting the press. By this 
employment, Mr. Fox maintained himself and his family. 
Also, at Basil, he laid the plan of his “‘ Acts and Monu- 
ments of the Martyrs,” which he afterwards, with immense 
labour, finished in his own country. Mr. Strype is, how- 
ever, very incorrect when he intimates that our author 
published his first book while he was in a state of exile. 
-. Having mentioned the above celebrated work, commonly 
called Fox’s ‘‘ Book of Martyrs,” it will be proper to give 
. some account of this fruit of his Herculean labour. We 
have already observed that the author directed his attention 
to this work, during his residence at Basil; but he reserved 
the greatest part of it till his return to his native country, 
that he might procure the authority and testimony of more. 
' witnesses. It appears from the author's own notes, that he 
was eleven years in compiling this great work ; and in this, 
as well as in some others of his labours, Mr. Fox was 
. favoured with the Particular assistance of several distin- 
_guished persons. Among these were Mr, John Aylmer, 
* Life of Mr. Fox. 


+ Troubles at Frankeford, p. 80, 47, 50. 
¢ Strype’s Cranmer, p. 358. 


$50 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


afterwards Bishop of London;* Mr. Edmund Grindaf, 
afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury ; and Mr. Thomas 
Norton, afterwards a celebrated lawyer, member of. parlia- 
ment, and a noted puritan, who married the only daughter 
of Archbishop Cranmer. From the last of these, our author 
is said to have derived the greatest assistance.t It also 
appears that Grindal, besides his constant counsel and 

vice in the course of the work, supplied our author with 
pumerous materials, which, when he had digested and me- 
thodized them, were of great use to him. During Grindal’s 
exile, he established a correspondence in England for this 
purpose, by which means, accounts of most of the acts and 
sufierings of those who were persecuted in Queen ‘Mary’s 
reign, came to his hands; and it is said to have been owing 
to Grindal’s strict and tender regard to truth, that the work 
was so long in hand; for he rejected all common reports 
and relations that were carried over, till more satisfactory 
evidence could be procured. It was by. his advice, that 
Mr. Fox at first printed separately the acts of some parti- 
cular persons, of whom any sure and authentic memoirs 
came to hand, till materials for a more complete history of 
the martyrs, with their persecutions and sufferings, could 
be obtained. In pursuance of this advice, Mr. Fox pub- 
lished at Basil, various histories of the English bishops and 
divines, in single pieces, soon after their respective persecu- 
tions and martyrdoms. 

Mr. Fox at first undertook to publish his laborious work 
in Latin; but by the advice of Grindal, it was printed. in 
Latin and English, for more general usefulness. It was 
published in London in 1563, in one thick volume folio, 
with this title, «* Actes and Monuments of these latter 
perillous days touching matters of the Churche, wherein 
are comprehended and described the great persecutions and 
horrible troubles that have been wrought and practised by 
the Romish prelates speciallye in this realme of England 
and Scotland, from the yeare of our Lorde a thousand unto 
the time now present,” &c. A fourth edition was printed 
in London in 1583, in two volumes folio, and it was re« 
printed in 1632, in three volumes folio. ‘The ninth edition 
was printed in London in 1684, in three volumes folio, with 
copper cuts, the.former editions haying only wooden ones.} 

* Strype’s Aylmer, p. 11. 

+ MS. Chronology, vol. i. p. 248 (2), 243 (3.) 


} Biog. Britan. vol, iii. p. 2022, 2028. Edit. 1741.—Wood’s Athens 
Oxon. vol. i. p. 187. . ; 


FOX. . —~« 831 


To this edition there is frequent reference in the present 
volume. | 
Several writers have labaured to.depreciate the memory 
of Mr. Fox, by insinuating that his. History of the Martyrs 
contained many misrepresentations and falsehoods. Dr. 
Collier, who embraces all opportunities to lessen his reputa- 
tion and undervalue his work, accuses him of disin- 
genuity and ill nature, and says, he ought to be read with 
great'caution. He tells us, that a vein of satire and coarse 
language runs through his martyrology, and instances 
the case of the cruel Bishop Gardiner, whom. he styles 
“an insensible ass, who had no feeling of God's spirit - 
in the matter of justification.”* He charges Mr. Fox with 
other improprieties and inconsistencies, and adds, “I cannot | 
rceive the martyrologist had any right to Elijah’s sarcasm. 
is zeal without doubt was too much imbittered. He was 
_ plainly ridden by his passion, and pushed by disaffection, 
towards profaneness.”’+ It is readily acknowledged, that 
Mr. Fox sometimes discovers too warm a temper; and it 
was almost impossible it should be otherwise, considering 
the circumstances under which he wrote, and those cruel 
_ proceedings which he has handed down to posterity. -'This 
was too common among our zealous reformers, who, it 
must be confessed, were sometimes hurried forwards to 
lengths by no means jutifiable. | 
ood observes, “that as Mr. Fox hath taken a great deal 
of pains in his work, and shewed sometimes much judgment 
in it; so hath he committed many errors therein, by 
trusting ‘to the relations of poor simple people, and in 
making such martyrs as were living after the first edition 
of. his book came forth, though afterwards by him excused 
and omitted.” Admitting all this, what does it prove? 
Jt is very. justly observed, that as to private stories, Mr. 
Fox and his friends used the utmost diligence and care, that 
no falsehood might be obtruded on the reader, and were 
ever ready to correct any mistakes that might happen.§ 
Though he might be misinformed in several parts of his 
_ intelligence; yet these he corrected, as they came to his 
knowledge. Indeed, these were inconveniences which must 
attend the compiling of so large'a body of modern history, 
as Mr. Fox’s chiefly was. No man is likely to receive, from 


* Collier’s Eccl. Ilist. vol. ii. p. 45, 233. + Ibid. p. 43, 375, 586. - 
{ Wood’s Athena, vol. i. p. 187. ; 
§ Biog. Britan, vol, iii. p. 2024. Edit. 1747. 


S32 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


various hands, so large a mass of information, and all bé 
found pcrtect truth, and when digested to be found without 
the least trait of error. What is the weight of all the 
‘objections offered in contempt of the Foxian martyrs, to 
overthrow so solid and immoveable a fabric? It is com- 

iled of so many undeniable evidences of popish bar- 

rity, that its reputation will remain unsullied to the 
Iaiest period of time. The Acts and Monuments of the 
Martyrs have long been, they still remain, and will 
always continue, substantial pillars of the protestant church ; 
of more force than many more volumes of bare argu- 
ments, to withstand the tide of popery; and, like*a 
Pharos, should be lighted up in every age, as a warning to 
all postr rity.» . 

The indefatigable Sitrype passes the following encomiam 
on the work :—“ Mr. Fox,” says he, “hath done such exqui- 
site service to the protestant cause, in shewing from abundance 
of ancient books, records, registers, and choice manuscripts, 
the encroachments of popes and -papelins, and the stout 
oppositions that were made by learned and good men in all 

ages: and m all countries, against them; especially under 
ing Henry and Queen Mary in England. He hath pre- 
served the memoirs of those holy men and women, t 
bishops and divines, together with their histories, acts, 
sufferings and deaths, willingly undergone for the sake of 
Christ and his gospel, and for refusing to comply with the 


popish doctrines and superstitions. And Mr. Fox must: 


not pass without the commendation of a most painful 
searcher into records, archives, and repositories of original 
acts, and letters of state, and a great collector of manu- 
scripts. The world is infinitely indebted to him for 
abundance of extracts thence, and communicated in these 
volumes. And ashe hath been found most diligent, so 
_ most strictly true and faithful in his transcriptions.”’+ 

- ‘No book ever gave so decp a wound to the errors, 
superstitions, and persecutions of popery ; on which account 
the talents, virtues, and labours of Mr. Fox rendered him a 
fit object of papal malice and enmity. No man could he 
more hated and calumniated than he was. by his enemies. 
' His name, together with some others, was inserted at Rome 
ina “ bede-roll,” or list of persons who were appointed to, 


be dispatched ; and the particular mode of his death, as by © 


© Biog. Britan, vol. ii. p. 556. Edit. 1718 
+ Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 239, 941. . 


- FOX. 338 


_ burning or hanging, pointed out, when the design of 
invading and over-running England should be accom- 
plished.» . By order of Queen Elizabeth, Mr. Fox’s History 
of the Martyrs was placed in the common halls of 
archbishops, bishops, deans, archdeacons, and heads of 
colleges, and in all churches and chapels throughout the 
om.t | 
ut the accession of Queen Elizabeth, our learned divine 
returned from exile, and was cordially received and cour- 
teously entertained by his noble pupil, the Duke of 
Norfolk ;; who maintained him at his house, and settled: a 
pension upon him at his death. Afterwards, in 1572, when 
this unhappy duke was beheaded on Tower-hill, fur his 
sonable connections with the Queen of Scots, Mr. Fox 
and Dr. Nowell, dean of St. Paul’s, attended him upon the 
scaffold.s | 
Mr. Fox lived many years highly esteemed and favoured 
by persons of quality. Bishops Grindal, Parkhurst, Pilk- 
ington, and Aylmer; also Sir Francis Walsingham, Sir 
Francis Drake, Sir Thomas Gresham, and many others, 
were his powerful friends. By their influence, they would 
have raised him to the highest preferment; but, as he could 
not subscribe, and disapproved of some of the ceremonies, 
he modestly declined their offers. Indeed, he was offered 
almost any preferment he pleased, but was more happy in 
declining them, excepting a prebend in the church of 
Salisbury.f | 
- For the space of three years after his return from exile, 
Mr. Fox had no preferment whatever: and in a letter ta 
his friend Dr. Lawrence Humphrey, he says, “ [ still 
¢¢ wear the same clothes, and remain in the same sordid con- 
“¢ dition that England received me in, when I first came 
“ from Germany: nor do I change my degree or order, 
‘¢ which is that of the mendicants, or, if you will, of the 


_ ® Churton’s Life of Nowell, p. 271, 272, . 
’ + Mr. Fox’s Acts and Monuments of the Martyrs, and Bishop Jewel’s 
Reply to Harding, continued to be thus honoured till the time of Archbishop 
- Jand. This domineering prelate no sooner understood that the learned 
quthors maintained, ‘‘ That the communion table ought to stand among the 
people in the body of the church, and not altar-wise, at one end of it,’ 
than he was displeased, and ordered their books to be taken out of the 
ebarches.— Wood's Athena, vol. i. p. 181.— Pryane’s Cant. Doome, p. 88.- 
Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 132. " : 
Churton’s Life of Nowell, p. 208. > 
Wood’s Athens Oxon. vol. i. p. 186. 


S88 ‘LIVES OF THE PURITANS: 


« friars preachers.”* ‘Thus did this grave and learned 
divine p tly reproach the ingratitude of the times. 
He continued without the least preferment till the year 
1563, when Secretary Cecil procured him the above pre- 
bend ; which, with some difficulty, he kept to his death. 
This was all the preferment he ever obtained. | 
In the year 1564, the Bishop of London having preached 
the Emperor Ferdinand’s funeral sermon, in the cathedral 
of St. Paul’s, it was ordered to be printed, and to be trans- 
lated into Latin, “by the ready and elegant pen of John 
Fox.”+ During the same year, Archbishop Parker attempted . 
to force the clergy into a contormity to the established church ; 
for which purpose he summoned all the London ministers to 
appear at Lambeth, when they were examined upon the 
following question: ‘“ Will you promise conformity to the 
apparel by law established, and testify the same by the sub 
scription of your hands ?”” ‘Those who refused were imme- 
diately suspended, and after three months, deprived of theit 
livings.t To prepare the way, Mr. Fox was summoned 
first, that the reputation of his great piety, might give the 
greater countenance to their proceedings. When they 
called him to subscribe, he took his Greek Testament out of 
his pocket, and said, To this I will subscribe. And when 
the commissioners required him to subscribe the canons, he 
refused, saying, ‘I have nothing in the church but a pre» 
bend in Salisbury, and much good may it do you, if you 
take it from me.’’s_ His ecclesiastical judges, however, had 
not sufficient courage to deprive so celebrated a divine, who 
held up the ashes of Smithfield before their eyes. It ought 
here to be observed, that Mr. Strype is guilty of a twofold 
mistake, when he says, that, in 1566, Mr. Fox no 
ecclesiastical living; and that though he was no approver 
of the habits, he was not summoned before the ecclesiasticat 
commissionerts.| | ; 
Though Mr. Fox refused subscription and conformity to 
certain ecclesiastical ceremonies, he behaved with great 
moderation, and disapproved of the warmth of the mare 
* The remains of popish superstition were so prevalent in the charch of 
England, especially among the ruling prelates in the time of Queen Elize< 
beth, that for many years, the eating of flesh was prohibited, during the weeks 
ef Lent; yet, in certain cases, dispensations were granted. Accordingly, 
Mt. Fox being a man of a weak and sickly constitution, this favour was 
eenferred upon him by Archbishop Parker! !—Strype’s Parker, p.112, 1184 
+ Churton’s Life of Nowell, p. 106. ¢ Strype’s Grindal, p. 98. 


§ Fuller’s Church Hist. b. ix, p. 76.—Heylin’s Hist, of Refor, p. S87, 
@ Strype’s Parker, p. 223. So 


FOX. 3 935 


rigid and zealous puritans. And while be expressett his 
dislike of separation, he was exceedingly grieved about 
those things which gave the occasion.* Speaking of Blum- 
field,a wicked persecutor of the pious Mr. Harelson, for not 
wearing the surplice, he said, ‘ It is a pity that‘such baits 
“<< of popery are left to the enemies, to take christians in, 
“ God take them away from us, or us from them.’ For God 
“ knoweth they are the cause of much blindness and strife 
“¢ among men.”’+ 

At the above period, Mr. Fox presented a Latin 
panegyric to the queen, for having granted indulgence to 
several nonconformist divines. But in the year 1575, he 
addressed her majesty on a very different occasion. During 
this year.a most severe persecution was raised against the 
anabaptists in London, ten of whom were condemned, eight 
ordered to be banished, and two to be executed. Mr. Fox, 
therefore, wrote an excellent Latin letter to the queen, in 
which he observes, “ That to punish with the flames, the 
bodies of those who err rather from ignorance, than obsti: - 
nacy, is cruel, and more like the church of Rome, than the 
mildness of the gospel. I do not write thus,” says hie; 
“ from any bias to the indulgence of error; but to save the 
lives of men, being myself a man; and in hope that the 
' Offending parties may have an opportunity to repent, and 
retract their mistakes.’ He then earnestly entreats that the 
fires of Smithfield might not be rekindled; but that some 
milder punishment might be inflicted upon them, to prevent, 
if possible, the destruction of their souls, as well as their 
bodies.j But his remonstrances were ineffectual. The queen 
xemained inflexible; and though she constantly called 
him Father Fox, she gave him a flat denial, as to saving 
their lives, unless they would recant their dangerous errors. 
They both refusing to recant, were burnt in Smithfield, 
July 22, 1575; to the great and lasting disgrace of the 
reign and character of Queen Elizabeth.{ 


* Fuller’s Church Hist. b. ix. p. 106.—Strype’s Parker, p. 223, 224. 

+ Baxter's Second Plea, p. 56. 

{ Fuller’s Church Hist, b. ix. p. 104, 105. 

§ On Easter Sunday in this year, a congregation of Dutch anabaptists was 
discovered, without Aldgate, London; when twenty-seven persons were 
ap repended and cast into prison, four of whom, bearing fagots at 

iul’s cross, recanted their dangerous opinions. The-two who were 
executed were John Wielmaker and Hendrick Ter Woort; or, as some of © 
our historians call them, Jobn Paterson and Henry Terwoordt, Previous 
to their execution, they suffered sixteen weeks imprisonment. The Dutch 
congregation in London made earnest intercession to the lords of the 
eouncil, te obtain their pardon; but all to no purpose. The two unhappy 


N 


836 — LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Mr. Fox was a man of great humanity and uncommon 
liberality. He was a most laborious student, and remark- 
ably abstemious; and a most learned, pious, and judicious 
divine, and ever op to all methods of severity in 
matters of religion. But as he was a nonconformist, he was 
shamefully neglected. ‘ Although the richest mitre in . 
England,” says Fuller, “ would have counted itself pre- 
ferred by being placed upon his head, he contented himself 
with a prebend of Salisbury. And while proud persons 
stretched out their plumes in ostentation, he used their 
vanity for his shelter ; and was more pleased to have worth, 
than to have others take notice of it. And how learnedly 
he wrote, how constantly he preached, how piously he 
lived, and how cheerfully he died, may be seen at large in 
his life prefixed to his book.”* And even Wood denomi- 
nates him a person of good natural endowments, a ious 
searcher into antiquity, incomparably charitable, and of an 
exemplary life and conversation, but a severe Calvinist, 
and a bitter enemy to popery.+ | 

This celebrated man, having spent his life in the most 
laborious study, and in promoting the cause of Christ and 
the interests of true religion, resigned his spirit to God, 
April 18, 1587, in the seventieth year of his age. His 
death was greatly lamented; and his mortal part was 
interred in the chancel of St. Giles’s church, C ipplegate, 
London; where, against the south wall, was a monumen 
inscription erected by his son,t of which the following is a 
- translation : ° 


In memory of Jonn Fox, 
the most faithful Martyrologist of our. English Church, — 
a most diligent searcher into historical antiquities, 
a most strong bulwark . 
and fighter for Evangelical Truth; 
who hath revived the Marian 
as so many Phoenixes, 
from the dast of oblivion, 
is this monument erected, 
in grief and affection, 
by his eldest son Samue. Fox. 
He died April 18, An. Dom. 1587, 
in bis seventieth year. 


nen must perfume Smithfield with their ashes. It is, however, extremely 
surprising that Foller attempts to palliate, and even to justify, the 
barbarity exercised upon these unhappy men.—Strype’s Annals, vol. ii, Pe 
880.—Brandt’s Hist. of Refor. vol. i. p. 815. Edit, 1720.— Fuller's Church 
Hist. b. ix. p. 108. So a 
* Fuller’s Abel Redivius, p.381, + Athenes Oxon. vol.i.p. 180 

' $ Stow’s Survey of London, b. iii. p. 88. Sage 


FOX. : 337 


-. My. Fox, during his residence at Basil, preaching to his 
fellaw exiles, confidently declared in his sermon, “ Now is 
the time for your return to England, and I bring. you the 
news by the command of God.” For these words he was 
sharply reproved by some of his brethren; but, remarkable 
as it may appear, they afterwards found that Queen Mary 
died the very day preceding the delivery of this sermon, and 
- $9.8 Way was open for their return home.* =~ 
. It.was Mr. Fox who had the memorable interview with 
Mrs. Honiwood, often related by historians. This pious lady 
‘was under most.distressing doubts and fears about the salva- 
tion. of her soul,.and her sorrow became so grievous, that she 
sunk in despair. This so affected her bodily health, that 
she appeared to be in a deep consumption, and even on the 
very brink of death, for about twenty years. In vain did 
the ablest physicians administer their medical assistance ; 
and in vain did the ablest ministers preach comfort to her 
soul. At length, Mr. Fox was sent for; who, on his 
arrival, found her in a most distressed and languishing 
condition. He prayed with her, and reminded her of the 
faithfulness of God’s promises, and of the sufferings of Christ 
for her soul. But all he could say appeared ineffectual. 
Not in the least discouraged, he still proceeded in his 
discourse, and said, ‘¢ You will not only recover of your 
bodily disease, but also live to an exceeding great age; and 
which js. yet better, you are interested in Christ, and will go 
to heaven when you die.” She, looking earnestly at him 
as he spaké these words, with great emotion, answered, 
S¢ Impossible; I am as surely damned, as this glass will 
break,” and immediately dashed a Venice glass, which she 
had in her hand, with great violence to the ground ; but the 
glass réceived not the smallest injury. The event, indeed, 
roved according to the words of Mr. Fox. ‘Though Mrs. 
_ Honiwood was then sixty years old, she recovered from her 
sickness, and lived the rest of her days, being upwards of 
irty years, in much peace and comfort.t+ 


* Fuller's Abel Red. p. 380.—Clark’s Marrow of Eccl. Hist. p. 793. 
_ + Mr. Honiwood, in the days of Queen Mary, used to visit the prisons, 
and to comfort and relieve the confessors. She was present at the burning 
of Mr. John Bradford in Smithfield, and was resolved to see the end of bis 
sufferings. But the press of the people was so great, that her shoes were 
trodden off her feet ; and she was obliged to go barefoot from Smithfield to 
‘St. Martin’s, before she could procure a new pair for money. This excel- 
lent lady had three bundred and sixty-seven children lawfully descended 
from her: sixteen from her own body, one hundred and fourteen grand- 
children, two hundred and twenty-eight great-grandchildren, and nine 
VOL. I. Z 


338 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Mr. Fox was uncommonly liberal to the poor and dis- 
tressed, and never refused giving to any who asked for 
Jesus's sake. Being once asked whether he remembered 
a certain poor man whom he used to relieve, he said, - 
sé Yes, I remember him, and I forget-lords and ladies to 
remember such.”—-As Mr..Fox was going one day from 
the house of the Bishop of London, he found many 
begging at the gate; and having no money, hei k 
returned to the bishop and borrowed five pounds, w oh 
he distributed among the poor people. F.some: time, 
the bishop asking him for the money, Mr..Fox said, “1 
have laid it out for you,.and have paid it: where -you owed 
it, to the poor that lay at your gate;” when his lordship 
thanked him for what he had donee —_.. sb te 

As Mr. Fox was going one day along the streets: in 
London, a woman of his acquaintance met him:;. and 
they discoursed t r, she pulled out her Hable, and: with 
too much forwardness, told. him she. was.going ‘to hear. 
sermon; upon which, he said to her, “If. you wiil be 
advised by. me, go home again.” But, said shé; thea whea 
shall I goto church? To which he immediately ‘replied, 
« When you tell no body of it.”’+ 

Mr. Fox, it is said, used to wear a strait. 
his head and ears; and over that, a ish . med, 
shallow-brimmed, slouched hat. His portrait is taken with 
his hat on, and is supposed to: have been the first 
engraving with a hat. ; 


Gis Works.—1!. De Christo Triamphante,.1551.—2. De omnsura 
seu excommunicatione ecclesiastica, 1551.—3. Tables of .Gramymnas, 
1552.—4. Commentarii rerum in Ecclesia gestarum, 1554.~6. Arti 
culi, seu Aphorismi aliquot Johannis Wiclevi &e., 1554.—6. Collec- 
tania qaedam ex Reginaldi Pecocki Episc. &c., 1564.—7. Optste- 
grapbia ad Oxonienses, 1554-8. Locornm communicam Logics 
lium tituli & ordinationes &c., 1567.—9. Probationes & Resolutions 
de re & mataria sacramenti Eucharistici, 1563.—10. De Chwrieii 
crucifixu, 1571.—I1. De Oliva Evangelica, 1587.—12. Concerning 
Man’s Eldction to Salvation, 1581.—13. Certain Notes of Election, 
1581.—14. De Christo gratis justificante, contra Jesuitas, 1583— 
15. Disputatio contra Jesuitas & eorum argumenta, 1686~— 


great-great-grandchildren. She lived a most pious life, and died a most 
christian death, May 11, 1620, in the ninety-third year of her age. Her 
remains were interred in Markshall church in Essex, where there was & 
menumental inscription erected to her memory.—Fuller’s Werthict, 
part ii. p. 85. 

* Faller’s Abel Redivivus, p. 882. . 

+ Clarke's Marrow of Ecc). Hist: p. 196. 

t Peck’s Desiderates Curiosa, vol. i. 1. xv. p. 9. ° 


J. WILSON. ° 399 


16. Eicasmi,. seu Meditationes in Apocal. 8: Johannis, 1587.— - 

17. Papa Confatatus.—i18. A brief Exhortation, to be read in the 

time of God’s Visitation —He published several translations of the 

works of other learned men: but his most celebrated work is his 

. History of the Acts and Monuments of the Martyrs,” commonly 
called “The Buok of Martyrs.” 


Joun Wixson was born in the parish of Kildwick in 
‘Yorkshire, and ordained deacon according-to the order of 
the church of England ; when he obtained a license from the 
Archbishop of York ‘to -preach’ at Skipton, in the same 
county, He was a pious, faithful, and useful preacher, 
but endured much severe usage for nonconformity. Arch- 
bishop Sandys receiving complaints against him,.sent his 
pursutvant with all haste to apprehend him, and bring. him 

re the high commission. Upon his appearance before 
their lordships, and inquiring what charges were. 
against him, he was told that he must obtain two sureties to 
be bound in two hundred pounds for his future appearance, 
Accordingly, he’ obtained the’ securities ed, and, 
January 9,. 1587, appeared again before the archbishop 
and other commissioners at Bishopsthorp, when he under- 
went the following examination : | 

Archbishop. You are brought before us for certain 
disorders, cdntempts, and disobedience, by you committed, 
to which you must answer as they shall be objected: against 


Dean. You must answer as truly as if you were sworn. 
‘ A. He must be sworn, and answer upon his oath. Hold 
him a book, and let him take the- oath. | 
Wilson. If the law require me to be sworn, I am con- 
tented. But I think it doth’ not compel a man to accuse 
himself; and I hope I shall not be urged to do more than the 
law requireth. . | ; 
' A. If you refuse to be sworn, answer as you will.; but be 
-sate, if I prove any thing against you which you deny, you 
shall smart for it. 
+ "W. Let me have.the law, and spare not. But because I 
mean to deny no truth objected against me, whether I be 
sworn or not, I am, therefore, contented to answer upon my 
oath. (He then took the oath.) 
A. Read the first article against him. 
_ _Fathergill. You have taken upon you to execute the 
office of a minister for the space of three years, without any 


7 


warrant soto do. 


340 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


_ W. I know not what law maketh known the minister's 
duty. I must, therefore, be informed of this, befere I can 
answer 


A. Tell him. 

Hudson. It is to say service, to preach the word, te 
minister the sacraments, to marry, and to bury the dead. 

W. I have not done all these things without the law. 

A. What warrant of law have you? 

ie I have the orders for the office of a deacon, according 
to law. 
. A. Shew unto us your orders. (Here Mr. Wilson p 
duced his orders, which was read by the dean, but 
was observed. ) 
, wW- Write, Mr. Prector, that I am deacon, aceordiag to 


Wy What say you of your preaching ? At what ehurches 
have you preached ? 

W. At all the churches near Kildwick.» Mr. Proctor, 
record this. 

A. You must always have that refuge to fly to. 

W. My lord, [am sworn. There may be more, though 
I do not remember them. I dare not upon mine oath set down 
an uncertain thing as certain; therefore, I say, these are all, 
so far as I recollect. . 

. 4 What hat authority then had you to preach? 
| had your Brace s authority in writing. 

h "That was only upon condition that the people would 
receive you, and be willing to hear you. 

, . IE know not what was the condition. I followed the 
direction under the hand of Mr. Ceck, in which I am sure 
no such thing was exp 
- My lord, I wrote that it was your grace’ s pleasure 
that he should preach at Skipton, until your return from 
London, if he behaved himself according to law. 

A. I ordered you to write no such thing, unless the le 
would receive him willingly, as Mr. Palmer they 
wo 

C. My lord, they, are ill-natared people, and would 
wh receive none. 

You have said service without surplice, and not 
to the Book of Common Prayer. 
W. That is not true. 
. As You have not used the ‘surplice in reading the service. 


‘ » Here Mr. Wilson, by fequest of the archbishop, named, as for = be 
could recollect, all the churches in which he had preached. 


| J. WILSON. - e St 

W. Ihave no pastoral charge. I said service only in the 
absence of the pastor, which was very seldom; and, on 
those occasions, I thought I was not bound to use it. 

A. You say not the service according to the book. 

I. You. the be 

- You use a prayer of your.own at the ing. 

W. That is not true, Mr Proctor. ginn "6 

A. Let me know the order you have observed. 

W. I first read one of the portions of scripture appointed, 
and then exhorted the people to the confession of their sing. 
That being done, I read some of the Psalms, after that two 
chapters, and then the sermon. ; 

. Then you say not according to the book. 
boon Yes, my lord, that which I read is according to the 

A. But you omit many things. 

'W. And so I may according to law, especially when there 
is preaching, or any more profitable exercise. o 

A. More profitable exercise! that is, your talking. - 

W. I am sure that preaching is more profitable than 
reading. And I am sure your lordship will not deny, that 
my talking, being out of the word of God, is more profitable 
than saying service. : 

A. Nay, you have your tongue at your will. What is 
the next article? | 

F. When you should say the epistle and gospel, accord- 
ing te the book, you will not call them the epistle and 
Eospel but the portion of scripture. 

- Have you never administered the sacraments ? 

W. No. 

H. Did you never christen ? 

W. Some few times, though very seldom. | 

A. Did you use the sign of the cross? . 

W. No, my lord, I said the words, but did not use the cross. 

a, Did you say, ‘I sign thee with the sign of the cross ?” 

0 


A. Tell me then what words you used. 

W. “ We receive this child into the congregation of 
Christ’s flock, that hereafter he shall not be ashamed to 
confess the faith of Christ crucified upon the cross.” : 
H.. Did you never minister the communion? 

W. No. 
~~ het, neither the bread, nor the cup? : 
haye ministered the cup by the appointment 
‘¢ warranted in this by law. : 


oe’) LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


A. Did you ‘ever receive the communion ? 
W. Yes, my lord. 
- A. Where? 

W. At Kildwick. 

A. At whose hands? 

W. At the hands of the pastor. 

A. When? 

W. At the last communion, if I remember right. 
_ A. You must ever take this advan 
__W. My lord, seeing I answer upon mine oath, you should 
not the worse of me, because I am so careful not to 
speak wrong, or that which i is not true. 

i. You do not bury the dead according to the book. 

H. You do not meet the corpse at the church-stile, and 
walk before it into the church. 

W. Though I have sometimes done this, the book doth 
not bind me 'to do any such thing. 

H. ae do not read the prayers and Places of soripture 


“P mre do. 

H. You omit the rayers. 

W. Sometimes I do, and sometimes I do not. 

_ A. What is the next article? | 

F. You have gone from your own ordinary, without his 
consent, and have received orders from another bishop.. 

W. My own ordinary giveth no orders; but if his con- 
sent be his dimissary, I had his consent. 

A. If you have his dimissary, shew it us. 

W. See, it is here, my lord. 

A. What is the next article? 

F. You have taken upon you to say service without. any 
authority by license or toleration from your ordinary. 

W. I have all the authority which the orders of a deacon 
can give; and I hope that is sufficient to say the service. 

F. You confess yourself that you were born in Kildwick 
parish. 
| W. Yes. 

F. Do you acknowledge yourself to belong to this diocese, 
and submit yourself to the authority of your Chocesan? 

W. I acknowledge all this. 

A. You have a haughty and a proud 

'W.. I confess, my lord, I am not free smn any ‘one. ¢in ; 


. but I hope that sin hath not 80. great a ‘power over me as 
you represent. 


= 


' A. Nay, you care not for nine authority. 

. _W. My lord, I reverence your authority. 

- Swinbora. ‘That: is not likely, Mr. Wilson, seeing you . 
have so much disobeyed. _— 

-W. And that disobedience is no likely argument to dis- 
prove my reverence of his authority. .If your argument 
‘were. ». few subjects would be found who reyerence 
even the queen’s- authority... ; - 

You can speak for yourself I warrant you. But 
what ‘say you of your calling? The scripture mentions 
only the offices of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, 
and doctors. Which of these then have you? 

--W. The office of a doctor or teacher. 
A.. Where do you exercise it ? 
_W.: At Kildwick. | | 
>A. Wha called you? | 
‘W.. The minister and the people of that plaee earnestly 
entreated me to teach and instruct them. 
. A. Tush! that is nothing. 
W. Bat it hath been something in time past. | 
_ 4. Lo! this fellow would have ministers to be elected by 
consent of the people! | 
W. My lord, the word of Ged is plain enough upon that 
peint, and this you know well enough yourself. Your grace 
made this sufficiently manifest in refusing me to be at 
Skipton, unless the people would consent to receive me. 
- A. That I-did, because I would not intrude you upen 


em. 

‘W. Then-it follows,:-that you think intrusion is not the 
right calling; and on the contrary, that the right calling is 
by the consent or choice ef the people. : 

_A. There is'no end to your talk. 

. W. Yes, my lord, but I had the license of your own 
word. for that place, | 

“A. That is true; but it was a donor. 

; W,-And. when the donor came, I stayed... 

A. Yes, but you have preached there since that time. 

_c W. TL haye, indeed, preached there once ; which, I hope, 
is not so great.a crime,, but that your grace will deal 
fevourably. with me, and thus cause me the more to revere 
and esteem you.* _ So 

Mr. Wilson’s first examination being concluded, the good 
rian twas taken away and sent to prison, where he r ed 


® MB, Register, p. 182184. 


344 | LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


for some time. At length, he was brought to a second 
examination at Bishopsthorp, when the archbishop opened 
the business by affirming, that Mr. Wilson had been guilty, 
of the most wilful discbedience, and malicious contempt. 
His lordship used very opprobrious language, as if he- had 
been arraigned for treason or rebellion, exulting, at the same. 
time, in his own favourable dealing with him. Also, he 
declared that before Mr. Wilson should be discharged, he 
should confess both in open court, and publicly in- the 
church, how greatly he had offended’; to which Mr. Wilson 
made the following reply : : . 

W. My lord, I hope you will find it more difficult to 
prove me guilty of those odious crimes which you say I 
am guilty of, than to charge me with them. And as to 
your favour, when I find it, I shall acknowledge it. Hitherto 
I have felt nothing but extremity, bringing my ministry 
into open disgrace, and my person into public reproach. , 

A. You see the stubbornness of this fellow. I pur 
to have discharged him, the second day of his imprison- 
ment, and would ‘have done it, if he had sued for: it. 
And though he hath now been a week in prison, the pride 
of his heart would not let him once sue for his liberty. ’ 

W. It was neither my pride, nor my stubbornness, as you 
uncharitably misrepresent, and slanderously magnify against’ 
me; but my ignorance of the prisoner’s duty, that I did 
not su. to your grace for liberty. : _ 

A. We shall never make an end, if we babble with him 
thus. Will you yield to the conditions 2+  f 

W. My lord, I beseech you consider those conditions 
with impartiality, and, I hope, your grace will not urge 
me. My imprisonment will greatly injure my ministry, : 
and bring reproach upon my person; but to do n 
penance before the people, will be worse than all. Therefore, 

beseech your lordship not to reward one evil, by inflicting’ 
another which is much greater. a ae 

A. These are only your imaginations. Tell us plainly: 
Will you subscribe the bond ? oe 

W. My lord, I must take all the care in my power to 
preserve my ministry from the contempt of the wicked. 
And seeing how much harm it would he likely to do to the. 
church of God, I cannot in any wise subscribe unto it. 


/ 


_ © The conditions here referred to, and afterwards often mentioned,: 
‘were, that he should confess before the archbishop, and publicly in the 
church where he had preached, the great offence he had cominitted, and 
enter into a bond to fulfil the same. 


J.WILSON. = ——s- 345 


- A. See again the stubbornness of this arrogant fool! But 
E tell thee, thou may and shalt subscribe unto it. ' 

W. And I answer, that, by the help of God, I neither 
mays nor ever will, subscribe unto it. Such unmerciful 
and cruc! dealings are too bad among professing christians. 
The Lord grant me patience, and I’shall be satisfied... 

-A. 1 always thought what a‘stir we should have with 
him. - But thou persuadest people to meetings and private 
conventicles. | 

W. My lord, you now remind me of @ duty which IT 
have hitherto neglected; but by the grace of I will: 
remember it hereafter, and will exhort the people of God to 
meet together, and to edify and comfort one another with . 
what they have learned. And this, by the help of God, I 
mean to do; though I hear that for so doing, one of the’ 
Lord’s servants is committed a close prisoner. 

A. Will you then defend his doings to be lawful? | 

W. I will defend the lawfulness of God’s people meeting. 
together, to confer upon the points of religion or the 
doctrines taught them out of the word of God, to sing 
psalms, and to pray together. I hear of.no other things for — 
which he was committed. And I am sure your grace will 
not deny these things to be lawful. 

A. But he gathered night-assemblies, contrary to law. 
Will you defend them also ? : 

W. Certain religious householders requested him and’ 
others to meet at night in their houses. Shall we then say 
that he collected night-assemblies ? I do defend by the word’ 
of God, that to meet together for the above purposes, whether: 
in the night or the day, is lawful. Yet I would have per- 
sons to satisfy the law of the realm, as much as they can. 
with a good conscience. 

_ &. If we follow him thus, we shall never come to an end. 
Will you subscribe the bond ? | 

W. I have answered that already. I refuse not to do: 
any thing that is lawful. If you can prove out of the word: 
of God, that I may do it with a good conscience, I am 
ready to yield ; otherwise I cannot, and I will not, subscribe. 
I will be bound, however, to leave your province in a 
fortnight. —_ | 

S. You had then better go out of his grace’s province: 
to make your submission. ; 

W. That is more than I say,, Mr. Swinborn: but I 

would rather go. out of his province and twenty others ;: 


346 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. , 


ea, oat of the world, and this soul out of this body, than 

would subscribe to that submission. 

. A. I hear that in prison thou hast great liberty, and that 
thou lovest it. It is that which maketh thee so bold and. 
stubborn, but I will remove thee thence. 

’ 'W. IT have no cause to complain of my keeper. And as 
to my: liberty, it is confined within the walls of the castle. 

] know not bow you would have me handled, unless you 
would have me into the lower prison, where. you would 
soof have my skin for your fees: But you can do nothing, 
except it be given you from above. 

_ A. I tell: lainly, that if thou wilt not yield, I will 
remove thee to Hull jail, and afterwards to other places. 

W. My lord, the word of God will strengthen and 
comfort me, more than your threatenings can hurt me or 
make me afraid. I care not for all your prisons. Remeve 
me where you please. God will strengthen me against all 
your extgemities. I will not yield so long as I live, 
and so long as the word of God persuades me‘.to: the 
nares : 
-.A. Thou art.an arrogant puritan. 

- W. Gross errors slanderous abuses have been cast 
upon the godly in all ages. Your charges against me 
are uncharitable and unjust. : 

A. Thou art a rebel, an enemy to her majesty, and an 
underminer of the state. | 

W. These speeches savour not of the spirit of God. I 
am _as true a subject, and as good a friend to her majesty 
and the state, according to my ability, as you are. 

A. I tell thee, the queen said, that these puritans.are 
greater enemies to her than the papists. 

W. What just cause she had so to say, all the work 
knoweth ; and the Lord will one day judge the numerous 
traitorous conspiracies that have been detected. When did 
any; who are slanderously called puritans, give the. least 
dause of any such suspicion? Their lives and writings 
testify to all the world, how far they are from such things. 
Therefore, they who charge them with these things, have 
- the greater sin. 

A. If we suffer thee to prattle, thy tongue will never 
cease. . Therefore, that we may make an end of it, I 
counsel thee to admit the conditions proposed. 

. W. 1f£ your grace will shew me the least warrant frem 
the word of God, I am ready to submit. Though’ you 


¢all- my answers by what name you: please; they are not 
deserving of your reproach. | ' 

A. Will you yield to the conditions? 

- “W. My mind is so well settled already, that I can see no 
reason to alter it. Therefore, I cannot yield to the con- 
ditions. 

A. Perhaps you think it is very hard dealing to be tied 
to read it. Will you then yield, if we give you liberty to 
_ ase your own words? 

-W. I strive not about the manner, but the matter ; and 
I utterly refuse to do any such thing, either in my own 
words or any others. - 

A. What! surely you can say two words, even that you 
bave preached without license. In so doing, you shall 
- have my favour more than you think of. 

W. My lord, let me have your fayour only according to 
tay behaviour in a. good and just cause; but the word of 
God will persuade more than either your threatenings or 

romises. So while I see the word of God favouring me 
im the present case, I will never yield to speak two words, 
nor eyen one word, to any such purpose. : 

A. Choose then for yourself, whether you will be excom- 
municated out of my diocese, or return to prison, or yield 
to the conditions required. 

- W..My lord, I hope that christian charity and brotherly 
dealing will not bring me into any of those extremities. 
A. No! but you shall observe one of them.* 

Mr. Wilson’s second examination being thus concluded, 
he was immediately sent back to prison. After confine- 
ment for some time, by the appointment of the archbishop, 
he appeared before the commissioners at the dean’s house in 
the city of York, his grace being absent. Upon the com. 
mencement of. his third examination, a new bond was pro- 
duced, in which he was required not to exercise any part of 
his ministry within the archbishop’s province, without 
further. license; nor, during his silence, allowed to come 
within Kildwick church, the place of his ordinary labours. 
This being read, he was addressed as follows :" 

D. ‘Mr. Wilson, what say you of this? 

-W..I say ft is marvellously strange dealing, that one 
extremity must drive out another. Excommunication 
from Kildwick church must drive out the public'confession 
before ‘required. Will you neither suffer, me to. preach 


-# MS; Register, p. 164—780. 


$48 LIVES OF. THE PURITANS. 


there, nor to hear others? This is very hard dealing. God 
willing, I will never yield unto it. . 

D. Do as you please. Do as you please. 

W. I was born and brought up in that parish, and I am 
bound to attend there by the laws of the realm. Do you 
then sit here to execute the law, and will you bind me to 
act contrary to the law? 

Palmer. Erase it, erase it, for shame! It is a thing never 
before heard of, that a man should be bound from attending 
at his own parish church. | 

Proctor. I will put this in its place, “ that he shall never 
come there to preach.” _ 

W. Will you put in that, Mr. Proctor? Will you first 
exclude me from his whole province, and then exclude me 
from that particular place ? 

BD. What else have you for him to do? _ 

P. He must confess that before us, which he would nd 
acknowledge publicly in the church. : a 

D. Then read it unto him. | m 

_W. I will confess these things neither publicly, nor pri- 
vately. But if you allow me, I will separate those things 
which are true, from those which are false, 

DB. Giye him the paper. 

He then took the paper, and told them what was true, 
and what was false. This being done, and the good man 
having bound himself to preach no more in the archbishop’s 
province, he was released, ascribing honour and praise to 
God for his merciful deliverance. . 

Mr, Wilson having obtained his liberty, though excluded 
from all usefulness in the province of York, went to. Lon- 
don, and, during the same year, frequently preached at 
Alhallows in Thames-street. Also, by the.allowance of the 
minister of St..Michael’s, Cornhill, he delivered a sermon 
there; for which Bishop Aylmer silenced him the very next _ 
day, and summoned him, and the church-wardens of Alhal- 
lows, to appear before him the Saturday following. Mr.: 
Wilsen not seeing the bishop’s officer when he left the 
information at his lodgings; nor knowing what warrant 
he had for what he did, refused to appear. But one of the 
ehurch-wardens appeared, when, though the bishop was not _ 
present, Dr. Stanhope pronounced upon them both the | 
sentence of excommunication; upon the one for not ap- 
pearing, and upon the other for suffering Mr. Wilson to 


* M8. Register, p. 184-786. | 


i"  *  §. WILSON. °C: wg 


preach without a license. This excellent minister was thus 
exercised with tribulations in the south, as well as in the north. 
_ -At Iength, our divine finding that the high commissioners, 
‘with Aylmer and Whitgift at their head, were anxious to 
apprehend him; that they had issued several warrants fer 
this purpose ; that a printed order was sent ta all the churches 
in London and its vicinity, that none should preach without 
@ license; and that his name, with several others, was par- 
ticularly mentioned,* he wisely concealed himself for a 
‘season, and retired into the north. Towards the close of 
the year, he returned to London; and after his arrival, Mr. 
Glover and Mr. Weblin, two of his cordial friends living 
in the parish of Alhallows, waited upon Archbishop Whit- 
gitat Fam beth, soliciting his favour in behalf of Mr. Wilson. 
y had -no sooner mentioned his name, than his lordshi 
asked, .<¢ What that factious fellow who intruded himself 
into the church in Cornhill, and there delivered a seditious 
sermon?” ‘* Yes,” said Mr. Glover, “ that is the man; 
but he hopeth to clear himself of all faction, intrusion, and 
aédition.” ‘ Let. him then come to me any day after. to- 
morrow,” said the archbishop, “ and I will say more about 
him.” ‘Therefore, December Ist, Mr. Wilson and his friends 


, 


* The worthy divines whose names accompanied this order, were Mr. 
Wilson, Mr. Davison, Mr. Barber, Mr. Wigginton, Mr. Gifford, Mr. Carew, 
and some others. The order itself, dated August 16, 1587, being descrip- 
tive of the spirit of the times, was the following :—‘* Whereas sundry 
‘* ministers, preachers, have lately come into the city of London and 
“ the suburbs; some of them not being ministers, some having no- suffi- 
** cient warrant for their calling; and others having been detected in 
** the country, have taken upon them (to preach publicly in the city, to the 
** great infamy of their calling: and some of them in their preaching, 
“ have stirred up the people to innovation, rather (hao sought the peace of 
** the church, These are, therefore, in ber majesty’s name, by virtue of 
*< her high commission for causes ecclesiastical to us and others directed, 
“* strictly to enjoiu, command, and charge, all parsons, vicars, curates, and 
* charch-wardens, ef ali churches in the city of London and the suburbs 
** thereof, as well in places exempt as not exempt, that neither they oor 
** any of them, do suffer any to preach in their churches, or to read auy 
““* lectures, they not being in their own cures; but only such whose licenses 
““ they shall first have seen and read, and whom they shall find to be 
** licensed thereto, either by the queen's majesty, er by one of the univer- 
** sities, or by the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, or the Bishop. of 
** London, for the time being. And that this may be published, and take 
** the better effect, we will that a true copy thereof shall be taken and 
*S delivered to every curate and church-warden of all the churches afore- 

” ‘anid. Signed, 


~ §§ Jounw CANTERBURY, - Eb. STaANmoPs, 
; ‘© Joun LonpDon, Ric. Cosins.”’ 
4 “* Vat, Dace, . 


- MS. Register, p. 836. 2 Dye 


350 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


waited upon his-grace at Lambeth ; and upon their appedr- 
ance, after asking Mr. Wilson his name, where he wal, born, 
and where educated, the archbishop thus addressed him : 

Archbishop. Did not you intrude yourself into a church 
in Cornhill, and there preach a seditious sermon ? os 

Wilson. That: I preached: there ‘is certainly true; ‘but 
there was nothing veditious. And as to intrusion, I- will 
prove upon the oath of honest men, that I had the minister’s 
consent, both before and after I came into the church. | — 

A. Did you not then intrude-yourself ? : 

'W. I will prove, I say; upon the oath of honest men, 
that it is an impudent falsehood. . 

A. Say you so. I did not know this before. 

W. It is malice that hath propagated these things. 

A. But why did you not remain in your own country ? 

‘W. Because I cannot and may not place myself where 
I please; much less in mine own country; for I must go 
Ww 41 am called, and be placed where the Lord shall 


appoint. 
“a. If you will then be placed here, you must subscribe 
to certain articles. : 

W. I will subscribe to any thing that is lawful. - 

A. Do you mean any thing according to law ? 

W. Surely, I dare very well say so. But I meant the 
law of God, which is the only rule of conscience. 

A. You must subscribe to those articles. - a 

W. I must first see them, and then I can answer you. 

A. There is good reason why you should see them; and 
therefore I reter you to my ford of London. If he will 
allow you, I will not disallow you. But you Londoners, 
(speaking to Mr. Glover .and Mr. Weblin) are so much 
given to novelty, that if there be one man more new than 
others, him you will have. - 

Glover. Surely, my lord, we cannot be justly accused 
of novelty. For-we have had neither new nor old at our 
church since I knew the place, having now only a drunken 
reader, who can do us no good. 

A. Well, you know my mind about this matter. 

Stanhope. You must be sworn. 

W. To what must [ be sworn. 

S. You shall know that afterwards.- oo 

W. No, by your leave, sir, I will see the articles before 
] take any oath. 

8. No, you may not see them till you are sworn. 

W.. I will not swear till I see them. -It. ig bard. dealing 


- J. WILSON. ' $51 


° to make men swear to they know not what. You may ask 


me things which it is not lawful for me to make known. 

S. What are those things ? 

W. It is against the law of the land, that a man should 
be sworn to accuse himself... And: by: this oath; you may 
urge me to disclose the secret things of. my heart, or.the 
seCrets of my friends, both of which are unnatural. and 
unlawful. . Such dealing is intolerable snd cruel... Let me 
see the articles; and if I may: lawtully answer them, I will 


do it tipon my oath. 


S. Let him then see:the:artieles. . 

W. Setting aside all circumsteatial. questions, i will 
answer these articles upon my oath. . 
- §. Well, all other matters shall: be set: aside. . , 

W. I will make a true answer to these articles, so. help 
me God. 
.« 8. Icantell you, Mr. Wilson, if you mean to.preach here, 
you must also minister the communion, at least thrice evéry 

ear. 

; W. There is one to do that in the place already. . . 

S. That is no matter. You must join him in that action, 
to shew that-you do not divide your ministry. 

W. My ministry shall be to preach the word only. 

S. The laws of the realm allow of no such ministry. - 

‘W. But the laws 6f God do. 

S. But I am set to examine the laws of the realm. 

‘W. And I am set to maintain the laws of.God, and te 
declare the truth of them. 

S. It must be as F tell you. And that is not all:. you 
snust subscribe to certain articles. 

. W. “What are those articles ? 
. §. [think they are here. Read them, and tell me what 
you- think of.them. 

W. I think itis unlawful to subscribe to them. 
: LW What is there you dislike ? te al 

any things, and the second article altogether. 
S. Shew me this at large. 


“© These articles, nineteen in number, consist of certain things professedly . 
collected. from his sermon at Cornhill. . They are said to -have becn his 
expressions, and are mostly against pluralities, nonresidents, and idle, 
ungodly, and nonpreaching ministers. In one of them he is charged with 
having said of such ministers, ‘* They eat up the sine of the people.” Aad 
in anether, ‘ That by the word of God, it is necessary that every ‘cangre- 
gation should have a preaching. minister.” This.is a. speciman. of .the 
treasonable charges brought against Mr. Wilson; but the whole, ther 
with his enswers, is teo long to be inserted. 98. Register, p. yn 


852 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
- W. I fear you seek some advantage against me. 

S. I promise you, that you shall have no hurt for any 
thing you may speak here. 

Ww. I dislike private baptism by laymen or women. 

S. You know my lord of Canterbury denies that .the 
book alloweth any such thing. . 
. W. It is too plain to be denied. And though he do 
deny it, he alloweth that if a woman or any private person 
perform the action, it is a sacrament, and is not to be 
renewed by the minister. Where there no other things, 
this is sufficient to keep me from subscribing. 

S. But if you may have favour in that point, will you 
yield to the rest ? 
ch W. I wish they were such things, that I could yield to 

em. . 

S. What else then do you dislike. 

W.. The book of making bishops and ministers. 

S. Why so? 

W. Because I find no such thing done by one man, and 
in that manner, in the word of God. a 
, &. Then I can say nothing to you. 

W. But I could say something to you, sir, if you would 
patiently hear me. 

S. What is that? Say what you please. —_- 

W. If you can shew me any statute, now in force.in 
England, which requireth me to subscribe to the Book of 
Common Prayer, to the book of making bishops and minis- 
ters, and to the whole book of articles; I will promise before 
you and these people, that I will subscribe. But if I 
offer my hand to subscribe, as far as any statute doth 
require, why is the offer not admitted ? or by what law.can 
it be rejected ? , 

_ §. There is a statute which alloweth these things. This, 
I think you will not deny. | . | 

W. I do not deny it. But where is the statute which 
commandeth subscription to them ? oo, 

S. The bishops‘have a commission from her majesty, to 
deal in these matters according to their own discretion. 

. W. But neither their commission, nor their discretion, 
may oppose the discreet laws made by her majesty and 
arliament. If they do, I dare boldly say, that they abuse 

r majesty, her subjects, and theirown commission. 

- §. Take heed what you say. You must yield to this 
_ subscription, or you cannot be admitted. Besides, you are 
ng proper minister, and were never authorized to preach, 


J. WILSON. ee 35$° 


- W. ‘That is a slander. For I am a:deacon, and was 
licensed to preach by the present Archbishop of. York. — . 
S. What think you of the titles of grace, lord, and others 
of the same kind ? oe 
W. I think the law doth require them. 
S. Do you take them to be lawful ?. . a 
W. -Yes, they are lawful, if you mean according to law.» 
Here the conversation closed, when Mr. Wilson was sus- 
pended, and -admonished to appear before the Bishop of — 
ywadon and other commissioners, on the Tuesday following, 
This was the unkind usage he met with, though at the 
inning of the conference, he was promised that no evil 
should befall him for what he might say. The reader will. 
here see how little such persons were to be trusted. How- . 
ever, according to appointment, the good man appeared 
before the bishop, Dr. Stanhope, Dr. Walker, Mr. Mullins, 
and others. When he was called, his. lordship said 
nothing, but left the management of the case wholly to 
the other commissioners, ‘when his former opponent thus 
addressed him : . | 
S. Mr. Wilson, you remember certain articles exhibited — 
against you, as collected out of your sermon preached at — 
St. Michael’s in Cornhill. You also confessed that you were 
not a minister, but a deacon, and licensed to preach by the 
present Archbishop of York, and not by my lord of London, 
W. I remember these things well, and many others. | 
Mullins, It was not necessary that all things should be 
set down. 7 - 
W. Neither was'it necessary he should mention only 
those things, when I spoke many others. . 
S. Well, sir, you renrember I did suspend you from 
preaching, which sentence, by the judgment of the court, 
must stand. As for other matters, Dr. Walker and Mr. | 
Mullins ‘will attend unto them next term. = 
W. It is hard dealing to keep a man so long in suspense, - 
and for so small a matter: I am chargeable either to myself, 
or friends, or both. I have been almost a month in town 
already, and now I must be put off so long atime. This is 
more than christian charity would do. Wherefore, J pray 
you, sir, that I may have a more speedy dispatch. ; 
You may apply to them, and they will perhaps make 
greater haste in this matter. (Mr. Mullins having read the 
charges against Mr. Wilson, thus addressed him :) 


* MS. Register, p. 828—832. — 
VOL, I. - | 2A 


a 


854 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


M. What are these things? Who is the accuser? And 
who is accused ? 
W. Who is the accuser, I know not; but they say aiey 
are articles objected against me. 
M. Who troubleth us with such » things # There -is no 
erticalan and no man aocnsed, The crewed ins 
ia vase mentlone bat all is 
wthed than? 
wy, ¥ cannot tell. But I saffer the greater 5 
carriod ep and down, snd tomed to en fr for nothing 
began this matter? And who bade you follow 
W. Who began it, I know not. But T am appointed © 
desire you to make an end of it. I have been 
in your courts; and my friends have been iuch charged 
“tw money, I cannot tell for what. 
I wish their money was in their bellies. 
W. I wish rather it was in their purses. Bat, 1 pty 
you, sir, let the case be ed. 
M. I have other business to mind. 
fav | If my case be he tere i moment you you may spot 
it. ou, et charity move 
make an cal of that may be 0 more trout sat 
The more we consider your case, the worse we 


find it. There are such words and sayings as become a 


gailer, rather than a sober preacher. 
W: The words and sayings are not mine, bat the 


‘malicious accuser’s, who set them down thus to make se the 


more odious. 

Waik. Why then do you confess them to be yours, in 
your answer ? 

W. I do not confess the words, but the substance of the. 
matter. For the register would not take down my answes 


‘in mine own words, but would write them as they are cnee 


hens I tell thee they are full: of bitterness, malice, and 
slander 
W. Sir, I came for your certificate to make an end of 


@s you 
Walk 1 tal I tell thee, thon shalt have none of our certificate. 
The he register shall have it, and ‘not shew it thee till ‘the next 


Ow. That is very hard dealing. 

Watk. What sayest thon ?. Do we do thee any ‘wrong? 

W. Yes, sir, even you. ; 

Walk. What sayest thou, boy ? Thou hast neither lean 
ing, nor manners in thee. 


ELLISTON. 366 


W. FT havetio less for what you say. And as to manners, 
you have no great cause to find fault. | 
' Walk. Thou art an ass; thou art a dolt; thou art a 
-beardiess boy. Thou hast neither learning; nor humanity 
in thee. 


W. Your werds, sit, do not make me worse. We must 
and do Bear these things at your hands, and have never 
roquted ‘ou with the like. 

. Wilson having received the above abusive language, 
wes obliged to depart without the examination of his case, 
and -without obtaining his certificate, though his ecclesias- 
tical jutlges had promised to give it him. He waited upon 
then repeatedly for the same purpose, bat with no better 
success ; and it appears extremely doubtful whether he ever 
obtained it, or whether he was ever restored to his ministry.” 


Joun E Liston was a most diligent and pious minister, 
beneficed at Preston in Northamptenshire, where he laboured 
much to reform his parish, by frequent preaching and 
catechizing. But he endured manifold troubles for his non- 
conformity. His enemies being inclined to popery; brought 
complaints against him to the chancellor of Peterborough, 
that he did not wear the surplice, read the litany, nor use 
the cross in baptism. He was, therefore, indicted at the 
assizes ; but after his case was heard béfore the judge, he 
was dismissed. Mr. Elliston having left an account of his 
veriéus troubles, let us hear him speak for-himeelf. 

‘¢ Having been pastor of Preston,” says he, “ about ten 
weeks, and being desirous to instruct the people accordi 
-to my ability, some of my parishioners, persons muc 
inclined towards , complained of me to Dr. Eiis, 
the chancellor, and the case was heard before the judge at 
the assizes, when I was charged with not wearing - the 
surplice, not reading the litany, and not using the cross in | 
baptism ; but was acquitted and dismissed. After this, they 
exhibited a charge against me to Dr. Scambler, bishop of 
Peterborough, consisting of sixteen articles. Upon my 
‘appetrance before the bishop, February 10, 1584, he 
asked me whether I would subscribe; but when I refused, 
he treated me with much abusive language. 

“¢ The first article charged against me, was, that I did not 
wear the surplice.—I said, I did not refuse it, and so denied 
‘the charge. | 

: * MS, Register, p. 882-834. 


356 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


“‘ The secorid article was, that I did not use the cross in 
baptism. And when the bishop asked me why [I did not, I 
replied, that I did not use it, because it was not required in 
the word of God. Atthis he scoffed, saying, neither is it 
required what kind of boots you shall wear. I ied, 
that my boots were not offensive, dnd what kind J shall wear 
is at my discretion, and therefore lawful; but God hath 
set down the holy sacraments in his word, and not left the 
ordering to our discretion. He then abused me as before.- 

‘< In the next place, when he asked me why I catechized 
all persons, both old and young, I replied, that 1 had the 
charge of all, and must, therefore, instruct all. When he 
said that old people should not be catechized, and that they 
did not s din need of it, I desired him to promote, and 
not to hinder good things. | , 

‘¢ Another charge was, that I omitted the litany on 
sabbath days. When I replied, that I preached on sabbath 
days, he said, that whether I preached or not, the litany 
must be read. When he asked why I kept persons from 
the communion, | answered, because they would not submit 
to be examined. He then said, that I should admit them, 
if they could say the Lord’s prayer and ten commandments, 

‘There were many other articles charged agaifst me,” 
says Mr. Elliston, “‘ to each of which I answered as the 
occasion served. At my departure, be suspended me, 
saying, I should not remain in his diocese if J would not 
subscribe. I said, if I do not remain in your diocese, the 
earth is the Lord’s, and he hath a place for me to live-in; 
and'so I departed. ) 

- March 6th following, he cited me, and several other 
ministers, to a betore him, and required us to sub- 
scnbe.. And May 30th he cited me a third time; but not 
having sufficient warning, he deprived me before I could 
appear before him. I, therefore, appealed against his 
unjust sentence, and told him that he did not deal with me 
with uprightness, though I wished to discharge my duties 
with a good conscience ; and that he treated others with 

reat kindness, if they would only subscribe, though. they 

ad neither learning nor honesty. But if you go about to 
discredit us, you will gain no credit to yourself. - After 
this I had four journies to Peterborough ; and though it was 
‘at beast thirty-six miles from the. place where I lived, I 
went seven times in little'more than one year. . 

‘¢ April 6th I went to London for an inhibition;. and 

upon my return, I went again to Peterborough, to have it 


CROWLEY. . 357 


eerved on the bishop. And on ascension-day, Archbishop 
*Whitgift cited me to appear before him, who, by this 
ymeans, sought to prevent me from prosecuting my appeal. 
“When I appeared before the archbishop, he urged me to 
subscribe, but I refused. He then said’ he had matter 
against me in the high commission; and I was therefore 
examined, but. obtained leave to return home till the next 
term. . But before the next term, the archbishop sent his 
pursuivant for me. This was my third journey to London..: 

«¢ When I appeared before his grace, two articles were 
Wight against me. 1. ‘That at morning prayer on 
Whit-sunday, I did only read two psalms and two chapters, 
. and then preached. And, 2. That preaching out of the 
second psalm, and railing against my enemies, | affirmed, 
that they would all be damned, who troubled me.’ But 
when they heard my answers to those articles, I was dis- 

ised; though the fees of the pursuivant, and other 
expenses, were very considerable. After this I was called 
“up to London several times, and appeared sometimes before 
‘the Archbishop, and sometimes before the Bishop of London. 

“ These my troubles,” says the good man, “ endured 
‘almost three years, during which time, I had ten journics 
to London, seven to Peterborough, many to Leicester and 
‘Northampton, and one -to Cambridge.’* By the expense 
unavoidably attending so many journies, Mi. Elliston was 
almost ruined. He was also a long time deprived of his 
‘living. He was a zealous and peaceable nonconformist, 
and, in the year 1587, was a member in the classis at 
Daventry, and often attended the associations of the 
puritans. A minister of the same name was preferred to 
‘the rectory of Chignal-Smeby in Essex, in the year 1597, 
-but resigned it by death previous to September 20, 1617 ; 
when the next incumbent entered upon the benefice. We 
are not able to learn whether this was the same person.t 


_. Rozsert Crow rey, A. M.—This distinguished person 
was born in Gloucestershire, and educafed in- Magdalen 
‘college, Oxford: In -the: year 1542, having been at the 
-wniversity cight years, he was elected probationer fellow. 
Upon the accession of King. Edward, he removed to 
London, and. was for some time a printer and bookseller, 
and preached occasionally as opportunity offered. He was a 


® MS. Register, p. 519—582. -- + Newcourt’s Repert. Eccl. vol. ii. p. 189. 
¢ Fuller says he was bornin Northamptonshire.— W orthies, pt. ii. p, 290. 


$58 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


ynan of excellent parts and eminent pié¢ty, and rebeived 
grdination from Bishop Ridley, afterwards thé famows 
rtyr.° Upon the accession of Queen Mary, he withdrew 
m the storm, and fled to Frankfort, where he was invelvall 
in the troubles occasioned by Dr. Cox and his party: His 
name, together with the names of many of his brethgen, is 
annexed to “ The Form of Discipline reformed and: oon 
firmed by the Church and Magistrates of that city."’+ . 
Upon the death of Queen Mary, and the accession of her 
sister Elizabeth, Mr. Crowley returned from exife, and 
obtained some preferment in the church. Ia the yeat 
1563, he had the prebend of Mora, of whieh, hewever, he 
was deprived in 1565; most probably for nonconforniity. 
In 1566, he became vicar of St. Giles’s, near Cripplegate, 
don, where he was much followed and r te. In 
1576, he was collated to the vicarage of St. Lavwwerce 
gewry, in the city, which, however, he did not hold leng; 
for the living became void in 1578.; It appears alsa, that 
soon aftyr his returp from exile, he became archdeaoon of 
Hereford. He ant in the convocation of 1563, nad aul 
scribed the articles, together with the paper of requests 
presented to the house, desiring a farther reformation ef the 
church.¢ He was a learned and popular preacher ; these 
fore, October 15, 1359, he was nominated to preath the 
sermon at Paul’s cross. } , 
Early in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, one 
a turbulent and abusive pelagian, sought to disturk tte 
peace of the church, by publishing a book against the 
reccivel doctrine of predestination, though he had net the 
courage to affix his name to it. This virulent publication 
was auswered by Mr. Crowley and Mr. John Veron, one 
of the qucen’s chaplains, and both the learned rephien were 
approved and licensed by public authority.) 
on after the accessien of Queen Elizabeth, her majesty 
was greatly offended with many of the clergy, especially 
those in the city of London, for refusing to wear the square 
cap, the tippct, aud the gurplice. ‘ Aad itis marvellous,” 
says Mr. Strype, ‘‘ how much these habits were ablioared 
BY many honest, well-meaning men, accounting them the 
Yelics of antichrist, and that they ought not to be used in 
the chureh of Christ. Mr.- Crowley called them conjering 


* Wood's Athenm, vol. L p. 190.—Strype’s Parker, p. 318. 

+ Troubles at Frankeford, p. 114. 

i Newcourt’s Repert, Eccl. vol. i. p. 181. 
Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 200. vel. ii. Adden. te Appes. p. 15. 

§ Toplady’s Histexic Proof, vol. ii. p. 184, 185 


CROWLEY. 35@ 


garments popery , and. would not, therefore, be persuaded 
‘© wear nh * Previous to the year 1566, this-worthy 
servant of Christ was suspended ; and though the cause of 
Bis “suspension is not mentioned, it was, undoubtedly, his 
ormity to thoge rites and ceremonies which hé 
*@cceunted popishi, superstitious, and ublawful. ne 
' During the same year he was involved in other troubles. 
or in.the month of April, seeing a corpse commg fo be 
buried at his church, attended by clerks in their surplices 
singing before it, he threatened to shut the church-doork 
against them ; but the singing-men resisted, being resolved 
te gn through with their work, till the alderman's deputy 
thréatened to put them in the stocks for breaking the peace: 
Upon this, they slunk away. But complaint was made td 
Archbi Parker and gather commissioners, and Mr. 
Crowley was summoned to appear before them. Accords 
jngly, April 4th, be appe: before the Archbishop, the 
Bishop of London, and the rest of their colleagues. Daring 
his examination, says our author, there fell from his li 
“several found paradores, tending to-anabaptism. These 
fond paradoxes, as he is pleased to call them, were the — 
: When speaking of a call to the ministry; he 
maid, “A man may have a motion in his conscience to 
preach, without any external call. And, ds pastor, he 
would resist the surplice-men.”” When the commissioners 
cealy him wheter he would resist a ome thes sent to 
im, (meaning in his surplice) he said, ‘‘ That till he was 
deprived, his conscience would move him so to do.” 'Fhese 
are his fond paradoxes, said to be of so dangerous a ten- 
dency! When the archbi discharged him from his 
flack and his parish, he r to be deprived contrary fo 
law, saying; ‘‘ he would be cammitted ta prisan, rather t 
i a to come to jis flock.” Phe ° man Wass 
therefore, deprived of hi: , separated from his flock; 
and cosamitted to prison. “Als. the alderman’s de fy 
mentioned abeye, for taking his part against the surpliee- 
men, was obliged to enter into a bond of a hundred 
pounds, te be ready when called, * So gentle,” says Mr. 
eat was our archbishop in his censure of s0 great % 
ult 1+ oo : 
» How long Mr, Crowley remained a prisoner, we have not 
been able to learn. Certain it is, that he continued yndey 


* Strype’s Parker, p. 11. + [btd, p. 218. 


360 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


confinement some time, The mild archbishop informed. 
the secretary how he had dealt with him, and.that he could 
not have treated him otherwise, considering his behaviour, 
and especially his saying, that -he would not suffer the wolf 
to come to his flock. By the wolf, Mr. Crowley appears to 
have meant a minister in a surplice; and this expression 
seems to have been a very material part of the crime for 
which he was censured. The Lord’s day following his 
deprivation and commitment, the archbishop sent Mr, 
Bickley, his chaplain, -to preach in his place. a 
In the year 1582, Mr. Crowley was very diligent in dis- 
puting with certain popish' priests, confined in the Tower, 
under sentence of death. With one of them, named Kirby, 
he took much pains, and laboured to the utmost of his 
wer, to convince him of his error, in maintaining the 
awfulness of the pope’s deposing princes. He atteaded 
them to the place of execution, where he used all his endea- 
yours to convince Kirby of the absurdity of those principles 
for which he was about to suffer. He urged from Rom. 
xiii. and John xix., that, as princes receive their authority 
~ from God alone, they could not be deposed by any. other 
power. When Kirby asked whether a prince. guilty of 
turcism, atheism, or infidelity, might not be deposed, -it‘is 
said, that Mr. Crowley and the rest of the minister 
answered. very learnedly in the negative. Onthis occasion, 
our divine observed, ‘ That ifa prince fall into any such 
errors, he is indeed punishable. But by whom? Not by 
any earthly prince; but by that heavenly prince, who gave 
him his authority; and who, seeing him abuse it, will, in 
justice, correct him for so doing.” . oe 
Mr. Crowley was a man of a most holy and exemplary life, 
a pious, learned, and laborious preacher, and mach beloved 
by his people.+ Mr. Sttrype denominates him a learned and 
zealous man, possessing great parts and eminent. piety.t 
Wood says, that he lived to a considerable age, spent 
his life chiefly in labouring to propagate and settle. the 
protestant religion.; He was a most learned and laborious 
Writer, as appears from his numerous works, many of which 
were written against the errors of popery. He.died June 
18, 1588, and his remains were interred in the chancel of St. 
Giles’s church, where he had been vicar. . The following 


" 4 Strype’s Parker, p. 219. + MS. penes me. 
; Strype’s Annals, vol. i, p. 136.—Life of Parker, p. 219. 


Wood’s Athense Oxon. vol. i. p, 181. . 


CROWLEY. Bi 
monumental inscription, engrayen on a brass plate, was 
-afterwards.erected to his memory :* 

Here lieth the body 


of Robert Crow ey, clerk, 
late vicar of this parish, 
who departed this life the 18 day of June, 
| in the year 1588. 


. His Works.—1. The Supper of the Lord after the true meaning 
of the Sixth of Jobu, and the xi of the 1 Epistle to the Corinthians, 
And incidentally in the Exposition of the Supper, is confuted the 
Letter of Mr. ‘Thomas More against Joh. Frith, 1533.—2. Confuta- 
tion of Nicholas Shaxton, Bishop of Sarum, his Recantation of 
43 Arficles at the Burning of Mrs. Anne Askew, 1546.—3. Explicatio 
petetoria (ad Parliamentum) adversus expilatores plebis, published 
in English in 1548.—4. Confutation of Miles Hoggard’s wicked Ballad 
inade in Defence of Transubstantiation of the Sacrament, 1548.— 
&. The Voice of the last Trumpet blown by the seventh Angel, con- 
taining twelve Lessons, 1549.—6. Translation of the Psalms of David, 
| 9649.—7. The Litany with Hymns, 1549.—8. David’s Psalms turned 
into Metre, 1549.—9. The Visions of Pierce Plowman, 1550.—10, 
Pleasure and Pain, Heaven and Hell. Remember these four and all 
shall be well, 1550.—11. Way to Wealth, wherein is plainly a most 
present Remedy for Sedition, 1550.—12. One and thirty Epigrams, 
wherein are briefly touched so many Abuses, that may, and ought to, 
be put away, 1560.13, An Apologie of those English Preachers and 
Writers, which Cerberus the Three-headed Dog of Hell, chargeth 
with false Doctrine under the name of Predestination, 1566.—14. Of 
the'Signes and Tokens of the latter Day, 1567.—15. A Setting open of 
the subtle Sophistry of Tho. Watson, D. D. which he used in his two 
Sermons preached before Qu. Mary, in Lent 1553, concerning the 
real Presence in the Sacrament, 1569. +—16. Sermon in the Chappell 
at Gilde-hall in London, 29 Sept. 1574, before the Lord Mayor and 
the whole state of the Citie, on Psalme cxxxix. 21, &c., 1575.—17. 
Answer to Tho. Pound in six Reasons, wherein he sheweth that the 
Scriptures must be judged by the Church, 1581.—18. Brief Discourse 
concerning those four usual Notes whereby Christ's Catholick Church 
is known, 1581.—19. Replication to that lewd Answer which Frier 
_ Joh. Francis (of the Minimies order in Nigeon, near Paris) hath 
made to a Letter that his Mother caused to be sent to him out of 
England, 1586.—20. Deliberate Aunsweare to a Papist, proving that 
Papists are Antichristian Schismatics, and that Religious Protestants 
are indeed true Catholicks, 1587.—21. The Schoole of Vertue and 
Book of good Nurture, teaching Children and Youths their Duties, 
1588.—22. Dialogue between Lent and Libertic, wherein is declared 
that Lent is a meer Invention of Man. — | | 


* Stow’s Survey of London, b. iii. p. 83. 

+ Mr. Strype says, that these sermons being very much admired, ang 
preventing many from embracing the protestant religion, ought to have 
been answered much sooner.—Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 540. 


sez LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Nicaoias Cranr was educated at Cambridge, a divine 
of great learning, and a zealous nonconformist. He was 
minister of Roehampton in Surrey, but falling under the 
displeasure of the prelates, hc was more than once cast into 
prison, and at last he died in Newgate, for nonconformity. In 
the year 1569, Mr. Crane, and Mr. William Bonham, were 
licensed to preach by Bishop Grindal. Their licenses are 
said to have been granted upon condition that they should 
avoid all conventicles, and all other things contraty to the 
order established in this kingdom. : 

Afterwards, the two divines were apprehended and cas} 
into prison for nonconformity, where remained mere 
than twelve months, and were then released. ‘But persisting 
in their nonconformity, and not keeping to the exact order 
established in the church of England, Mr. Crane was 
silenced from preaching within the diocese of London, and 
Mr. Bonham was again committed to prison ;+ but it does 
net appear how long they continued under the ecclesiastical 
censure.+ 

Mr. Crane was a leading man among the nonconformists 
of his time, and, in the year 1572, united with his breshre 
in the erection of the presbyterian church at Wandswerth 
in Surrey.t His exceptions against subscription to: the 
Book of Common Prayer, are still on record. They were 
delivered most probably upon his appearance before the 
ecclesiastical commissioners, and were chiefly the follew- 
ing :—‘‘ He excepted against reading the apocryphal books 
in public worship, to the exclusion of some parts of canoni- 
cal scripture mn inst that part of the ordination servicé, 
recetve the Holy Ghost, &c. :—Against the interrogatories in 
baptism proposed to infants who cannot give any answer :— 
Against the cross in baptism, which has been often used to 
superstitious purposes:—Against private baptism, which 
the Look of Common Prayer allows to be administered by 
persons not ordained :—Against the gospel: appointed to be 
read th: sabbath after Easter, which is taken from the 
mass book, and is manifestly untrue when compared with 
scripture. He concludes by observing, that if these. and 
some other things equally erroneous, were reformed, it 
would please Almighty God ; the ministers of Christ would 
be more finaly united against their common enemy, the 
papists ; many of God’s ministers and people now weeping, 

* See Art. Bonham. 


+ Strype’s Grindal, p. 153—155.—MS. Chronol vol. ji. p. 405. (6.) 
¢ Fuller’s Church Hist. b. ix. p. 108. "67 , . 


- 


CRANE—HUMPHREY, ans 


would rejoice; many able students would be encouraged to 
gater the ministry 5 and the religion of Jesus Christ would 
gore extcnsively prevail.’’+ 

fa the year 1583, Mr. Crane, with nine other learned 
divines of Cambridge, wrote to Mr. Thomas Cartwright, 
warmly recommending him to publish an answer-ta the 
Rhemist Translation of the New Testament.t Afterwards, 
he was cast into prison for refusing conformity to the 
edablished church. He subscribed the petition presented 
to the lord treasurer, and signed: by about sixty protestant 
psonconformists, then confined in the various prisons in and 
about London.t Mr. Strype hag placed this petition in the 
year 1592: but it should have been earlier. Mr. Crane 
died in Newgate, in the year 1588,, where many of his 
seffering brethren shared the same fate.) 


Lawrence Humrunsy, D.D.—This celebrated puritan 
‘was bera at Newport-Pagnel in Buckinghamshire, about — 
dhe year 1527, and educated first in the university of . 
Cambridge, then in Magdalen college, Oxford, where, in 
-1§49, he became perpetual fellow, and was chosen reader ef 
Greek in 1552. Having applied himself closely to theole- 
ae studies, he entered, about the same time, into the sacred 
fenction. He remained at Oxford, seme time after the 
secession ef Queen Mary and-the commencement ef her 
@byerities ; but, at length, by the permission of the i 
dent, vice-president, and ethers of his college, was allowed 
to go abroad. “ Jn the opinion of all,” says the Oxferd 
-Ristorian, “ he was much eommended for his life and con- 


* Parte of a Register, p. 119-204. + See Art. Cartwright. 
. = An abstract of this most moving petition is given in another place.— 
Bee Ari. John Greenwood. 
" § Account prefixed to ‘¢ Parte of a Register.” 
«ff Great° numbers perished in the various prisons where they ware long 
fined and most cruelty used. Among the rest, was one Mr. Reger 
‘Rippon; who, dying in Newgate, his fellow prisoners put the following 
inscription upon his coffin : . 
- * This is the corpse of Roger Rippon, a servant of Christ, and her 
** majesty’s faithful subject ; who is the last of sixteen or seventeen which 
** that great enemy of God, the Archbishop of Canterbury, with his high 
-** commissioners, have murdered in Newgate within these five years, 
** manifestly for the testimony of Jesus Christ. His soul is now with the 
*‘ Lord; and his blood grieth for speedy vengeance against that great 
*¢ enemy of the saints, and against Mr. Richard Young, (a justice of the 
‘* peace in Londons) who in this and many the like points, hath abused his 
‘** Dower, for the upholding of the Romish antichrist, prelacy, and priest- 
ss - He died A. D. 1502."-—Strype’e Annals, vol. iv. p. 138. 


364 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


‘versation, and for his wit and learning; and was permitted, 
' for the benefit of his studies, to travel one year into foreign 
parts, on condition that he kept himself from such places 
-as were suspected to be heretical, or favourers of heresy, - 
and that he refrained himself from the company of those 
“who are, or have been, authors of heresy or heretical 
-opinions.” Having thus obtained liberty to leave the 
country, he went to Zurich, where he joined the English 
protestant exiles, and, not returning at the end of the year, 
was deprived of his fellowship.* During his exile, we find 
his name subscribed to a letter from the exiles at Zurich, 
to their brethren at Frankfort. This letter is dated October 
23, 1554.+ . - . 

Upon the accession of Queen Elizabeth, Humphrey re- 
turned home. But having held a correspondence witls the 
learned divines at Geneva, during his absence, he is said to 
have returned to England, so much the Calvinian, both in 
doctrine and worship, that the best that could be said of him 
‘was, that he was a moderate and conscientious noncon- 
formist. Upon his return he was immediately restored to 
his fellowship, and, by her majesty, nominated queen’s 
professor of divinity in.the university of Oxford, bei 
‘accounted ‘the fittest person in the kingdom for that office. 
He soon after took his degrees in divinity, and was elected 
president of Magdalen college, though not without much 
‘Opposition from the popish party.{ In this situation, many 
‘persons, afterwards famed for their celebrity, were brought 
up under him; among whom was the famous Sir Thomas 
ey.§ | —— - 

*» In the following account of this celebrated divine, we shall 
have frequent occasion to mention his worthy and intimate 
friend, the famous Dr. Thomas Sampson. They were persons 
of great reputation, especially in Oxford, and were highly 
distinguished for their learning, piety, and zeal in promoting 
‘true religion. But their learning, piety, and zeal, were no 
sufficient screen from the prosecution of the high commission, 


.  * Wood’s Athene Oxon. vol. i. p. 195. 
_ + Troubles at Frankeford, p. 10—12. 

{ Wood’s Athena, wol. i. p. 195. 

§ Sir Thomas Bodley was celebrated as a statesman, and as a man of 
Jefters; but incomparably more, in the ample provision he has made for 
literature, in which he stands uorivalled. in 1599, he opened bis library, 
walled the Bodleian Library, at Oxford, which will perpetuate his memory 
a8 Jong as books shall endure. He drew up the statutes of the library; 
wrote the memoirs of his own life; and died Jan, 28, 1613,.—Ibid. P: 326; 
$27.—Granger’s Biog, Hist, vol. is p. 283, B11. © “os 


HUMPHREY. | 865 * 


for refusing‘ {o wear the popish habits. Accordingly, March 8, | 
1564, both Humphrey and Sampson, with four other divines, — 
were cited before Archbishop Parker and his colleagues, at | 
Lambeth.. Upon their appearance, the archbishop urged 
the opinions of foreign divines : as, Peter Martyr and Martin 
Bucer, with the view of bringing them to. conformity, This, 
indeed, proved ineffectual; for their judgments remain 
unconvinced. They requested that they might be dismissed, . 
and return to their usual exercises at’ Oxford ; but this the 
archbishop refused, intending to bring them before the 
council. After attendance for some time, they prepared a 
supplication, in a very elegant, but submissive style, which 
they presented to the Archbishop, the Bishops of London, 
Winchester, Ely, and Lincoln, and other commissioners. 
In this supplication, they protested before.God, how. 
great a grief it was to them, that there should be any dis, 
sention about so.small a matter as woollen and linen, as they 
styled the cap and surplice. But it comforted them, that, 
under Christ, the captain of salvation, they all professed 
the same gospel, and the same faith; and that in the matter 
of habits, each party followed the dictates of their own 
minds, where there was often room for liberty, and always 
for charity. They alleged the authorities of Augustin, 
Socrates, and Theodoret, to shew that in their times, there 
was a variety of rites and observances in the churches, yet 
unity and concord. ‘They had many and powerful reasons 
for this address: as, “ That: their consciences were tender, 
and ought not to be grieved.—That they were not turbu- 
lent, nor obstinate, nor did they study novelty, nor refuse 
to-be convinced, nor attempt to disturb the peace of the — 
church.—That they were certain, that things in themselves 
indifferent, did not always appear indifferent, even to 
persons of a tender conscience.—And that the law for 
restoring the ceremonies of the Romish church, was con- 
nected with bondage and superstition.” ‘They also added, 
‘¢ Because these things do not seem so to you, you are not 
to be condemned by us; and because they do seem so to 
us, we ought not to be condemned by you.” They beseech 
their lordships, therefore, that if there be any fellowship in 
Christ, they would follow the direction of divine inspiration, 
about things in their own nature indifferent, “ that, every: 
one might be persuaded in his own mind.””* | 
“They wrote, also, to the Earl of Leicester, but all to no 


* Serype’s Parker, p. 162, 168. 


966 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


urpose. They could not procure their release ; but were 
Splized to continue their attendance. The comniissioners 
themselves were very much divided in their opinions. Some 
wished to have their reasons answered, and the habits 
enforced: others were for a connivance. But the arch- 
bishop, who was at the head of the commission, would abate 
nothing. For April 29th, be peremptorily declared in open 
court, “¢ That they should conform to wear the square cap 
and no hats, in their long gowns; to wear the sutplice 
hon-regent’s hoods in the choirs, according to ancient 
custom; and to communicate kneeling, with wafer bread; 
or immediately part with their preferment.” To this they 
replied, that their consciences would not suffer them to 
comply, whatever might be the consequences.» Upon this 
they were still kept under confinement; but the storm fe 
chiefly upon Dr. Sampson.t+ : ° 
~ In one of their examinations, during this year, the arch 
bishop put the following questions to them, to which they 
gave the answers subjoined. 

Question. Is the surplice a thing evil and wicked, or is 
it: indifferent ? | : 

- Answer. Though the surplice in substance be indi 

yet in the present circumstance it is not, being of the same 
nature as the ent of an harlot, or the apparel of 
idolatry j for which God, by the prophet, threatens to visit 

e people. 

Q If it be not indifferent, for what cause : 
' A. Because things consecrated to idolatry are not indif- 
nt. : 

Q. May the bishop detesting popery, enjoin the surplice 
to be worn, and enforce his injarctlons ? a Pues | 
' A. It may be said to such a one, in the words of Tertullian, 

“ If thou hatest the pomp and pageantry of the devil, 
whatsoever of it thou meddlest with, is idolatry.” Which, 
if te believe, he will not enforce. hed 

‘Q. Is the cope a thing indifferent, being prestri 4 
faw for decency and reverence, and ‘not in respect of wutpen 
#tition or holiness ? | 
’ A. Decency is not promoted by a cope, which ‘was de- 
vised to deface the sacrament. St. Jerome says, «* That the 
old ordained by God for the reverence and decency of 

e Jewish temple, is not fit to be athmitted to ‘beautify the 
church of Christ ;” and if so, how much less copes brought 


* Strype’s Parker, p. 164. -+ See Art, Sampson. 


HUMPHREY. 967 


in by papists, and continued in their service as proper — 
ornaments of their religion. | 

Q. May any thing that is indifferent be enjoined as godly, 
for the use of the common prayer and sacraments ? 

' A. Jf it be merely indifferent, as time, place, and such 
mecessary circumstances of divine worship, for which there 
may be ground brought from scripture, we think it may. _ 
: @. ay the civil magistrate constitute by law, an absti- 
nenee from meats on certain days ? 

- A. If it be sufficiently gaarded against superstition, he 
ma *ppoint it, due regard being had to persons and times: . 

3 ay a law be enacted to make a difference in the 

parel of ministers from laymen ? 

A. Whether such prescription to a minister of the gospel 
of Christ be lawful, may be doubted; because no such 
thing is decreed in the New Testament. Nor did the pri- 
mitive church appoint any such thing, but chose rather to 
have their ministers distinguished from the laity by their 
doctrine, not by their vestments. 

; Q. Ought the ministers going in popish apparel, to be 
condemned for so doing ? : 
- A. We judge no man. To his own master he standeth 
- or falleth. 

- Q. Ought such preachers to be reformed or restrained, 
ornot?- . 

A. Irenzus will not have brethren restrained from bro- 
therly communion, for diversity in ceremonies, provided 
__ there be unity of faith and charity; and it is desirable to 

have the like charitable permission among us. 

To these answers, they subjoined several additional 
arguments against wearing and imposing the habits: as, 
‘6 Apparel ought not to be worn, as meat ought not to be 
eaten; but according to St. Paul, meat offered to idols 
ought not to be eaten, therefore popish apparel ought not to 
be worn.— We ought not to give offence in matters of mere 
indifference; therefore the bishops who are of this opinion, 
ought not to enforce the habits.—Popish garments have many 
superstitious mystical significations, for which they are 
‘consecrated ; we ought, therefore, to lay them aside.—Some 
suppose our ministrations are not valid, or acceptable to 
4God, unless performed in the apparel; we apprehend it, 

therefore, highly necessary to-undeceive the people.— 
Things indifferent ought not to be made necessary, because 
then their nature is changed, and we lose our liberty.—And 
if we are bound to wear popish apperet when commanded, 


868 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


we may be obliged to have shaven crowns, and to make use 
of oil, spittle, cream, and all other papistical additions to 
“fumpley and Sampson having th ly and fall 
um an n having thus openly y 
delivered their oO inions,. a pacific proposition was drawn 
up, which they both subscribed, with the reserve of the 
apostle, All things are lawful, but all things are not expe: 
dient. All things are lawful, but all things edify not. Upon 
this, it seems, they were both released. Dr. Humphrey, 
about the same time, wrote a very excellent letter to 
queen, in which he addressed her majesty as follows :—~ 
*¢ Kings being kindled with zeal for the house of God, 
<¢ have removed all the relics of superstition so that no 
“token thereof remained. This form and pattern 
“¢ reformation is then ect, when there is no blemish in 
“ the face, and when, in religion and ceremonies, nothing 
“ is taken from the enemies of the truth. You know, that in 
“< things indifferent, especially those which are in contro- 
“ versy, it is lawful for every man, without prejudice tg 
“‘ others, to have his full persuasion, and that the con- 
“science ought not in any case to be bound. That the ' 
‘“S matter which we handle is agreeable to religion and‘ 
“¢ equity, I think there is no man that doubteth. Seei 
‘‘ therefore, the thing which we request is: honest, 
“ that which is commanded is doubtful ; and they who make 
“the request, are your most loving ahd obedient subjects, 
“and ministers of the word, why should your mercy, O 
«¢ queen! which is usually open for all, be shut up from 
“us? You being the prince will not give place to your 
“‘ subjects; yet being merciful, you may spare them who 
“are in misery. You will not disannul a public decree; 
“ yet you may mitigate it. You cannot abolish a law; 
“ yet you may grant a toleration. It is not meet you 
“ should follow every, man’s affections; yet it is most right 
“and convenient, that the mind and conscience be not. 
“ forced. , 

“We do not go about, O most gracious queen, to bear 
¢ rule, who ought to be subjects; but we would that reason, 
‘¢the queen of queens, should rule, and that the humble 
“ entreaty of the ministers of Christ, might obtain that which 
“ religion commandeth. Wherefore, 0 most noble prince, | 
‘ ¥ do in most humble sort, request and earnestly desire, 
‘ that your majesty would seriously and attentively consider 


* Strype’s Parker, p. 166-171. 


Pea 


HUMPHREY. - 368 


* the majesty of the glorious gospel, the equity of the cause, 
“the small number of workmen, the greatness of the 
<< harvest, the multitude of tares, the grievousness of the 
¢¢ punishment, the lightness of the faut, the sighs of the 
cs , the triumphs of the wicked, and the mischiefs of 
$6 the times.”* By using these urgent endeavours, and 
having many friends at court, he, at length, obtained 4 
. comuivance and a toleration. od h i the Bich 
- Dr. Hamphrey havi rocured his liberty, the Bisho 
of Wincherter presented’ to him a small iiving, in the 
diocese of Salisbury, but Bishop Jewel, his professed 
friend, and intimate acquaintance, refused to admit him ; 
and protested he never would admit hin, till he obtained 
some good assurance of his conformity.+ Jewel's. great 
objection against. admitting him, was his nonconformity ; | 
upon which, said he, “ God is not the author of confusion, 
but of peace; and diversity in the worship of » is 
deformity, and a sufficient cause of deprivation.” Dr. 
umphrey, in a letter to the bishop, dated December 20, 
1565, replied, “ That his lordship’s objection had but little 
ground to rest upon.—That he never was the author of 
confusion-— That he had ever lived in peace and concord 
with his brethren, and in due obedience to his superiors, 
and, by the grace of God, was still resolved so to do.— 
And that if diversity in outward ceremonies be deformity, 
if it be any confusion, if.it be a sufficient cause of. depri- 
vation, if conformity be a necessary part of the ministry 3 
if all this came not from the pope,” said he, ‘ and if it 
existed before popery, then I am much deceived. But 
whatever ‘he called it, whether order or disorder, it was of 
very little consequence. He assured his lordship, that he 
did not mean to innovate, nor to violate their ecclesiastical 
ordinances.” Though he had obtained the patronage of his 
grace-of Winchester, and the favour of the archbishop, 
and the benefice was only very small, Jewel seems to have 
‘Yemained inflexible; for it does not appear that he was 
admitted.; 


* Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. vi. p. 383, 354. 
+ MS. Register, p. 873.—Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 421. 
Strype’s Parker, p. 185, 186. . 
. § Thopgh Bishop Jewel was a zealous churchman, he was of a different 
spirit from many of his brethren. In a letter dated May 22, 1559, he 
wrote, ‘‘ that the Queen (Elizabeth) refused to be called Head of the 
‘Church; and adds, that title could not be justly given to any mortal, it 
being due only to Christ; and that such titles had been so much abused by 
antichrist, that they ought not to be any longer continued.” —Simpson’s Plea 
for Religion, p- 146. Edit. 1810. 
VOL. I. 2B 


370 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Upon the publication of the advertisements, for enforcing 
a more strict conformity, Dr. Humphrey wrote to 
Cecil, earnestly desiring him to use all his influence 8 
stopping their execution. In this letter, dated April 23, 
1566, he sa s, “I am sorry that the old sore is broken out 
again, to calamity of many, and to the wonder and 
sorrow of all. The cause is not so good, in my poor opinion; 
as it is represented. The trouble is greater than we imagine; 
The inhibition of preaching, how strange and lamentable ! 
The cries of numbers awaken the pity of God and man. 
The book of advertisements contains many things, which, 
on many accounts, are much disliked by wise men. The 
execution of it, which has hitherto been vehement, has. 
greatly agitated and spoiled all: [ humbly request you te 
a means with the queen’s majesty, to put a stop to the 
execution of it, and that the book may sleep in silence. 
The people in these days, require other kind of advertive- 
ments. We stand in need of unity and concord; bat 
these advertisements have produced er variely and 
discord than was ever known before. To your wisdom and 
goodness, I refer all.’’» | | 
About the same time, he wrote a very warm and affec- 
tionate letter to the bishops, boldly expostulating with them. 
about their corrupt and unchristian proceedings. He says, 
“ The requireth Christ to be openly preached, pro- 
fessed, and glorified; but, alast a man qualified wi 
inward gifts, for want of outward shews in matters of cere- 
mony, is punished : and a man only outwardly conformable, 
and inwardly unfurnished, is exalted. The preacher, for 
his labour, is beaten; the unpreaching prelate offendi 
free. The learned man without his cap, is afflicted : 
e man with his cap is not touched. Is not this a direct 
breach of God’s laws? Is not this the way of the Pharisees ? 
Is not this to wash the outside of the cup, and leave the 
inside uncleansed? Is not this to prefer mint and annis, 
to faith, and judgment, and mercy? Is not this preferrin 
man’s traditions before the ordinance of God? Is not thig 
a sore disorder in the school of Christ ?—Charity, my lords, 
would first have taught us, equity would first have 
us, brotherly-kindness would have warned us, pity would 
have pardoned us, if we had been found transgressors. God 
is my witness, that I think honourably of your lordships, 
esteeming you as brethren, reverencing you as lords and 


© Strype’s Parker, p. 217. 


masters of the congregation. Alas then! why have you 
net seme good opinion of us? Why do you trust known 
adversaries, and distrust your brethren? We confess one 
faith of Jesus; we preach one doctrine; we ackuowledge 
one, ruler upon earth: in all these things we are of your 
judgment. Shall we be used thus then for the sake of a 
susplice? Shall brethren persecute brethren for a forked 
gap, devised for singularity by our. enemy? Shall we 
fight for the pope’s coat, now that his head and his bod 
are.banished out of the land? . Shall the labourers, for | 
of this furniture, lack their wages, and the church their 
preaching? Shall we not teach? Shall we not exercise 
our talents as God hath commanded? My lords, before 
this take place, consider the cause of thé church; the 
triumphs of antichrist; the laughter. of satan; and the 
sighing, sorrowing, and misery of your fellow-creatures.”*. 
In July 1566, Dr. Humphrey and Dr. Sampson wrote to 
Bullinger at Zurich, giving him a particular account of 
their opinions and nonconformity. ‘ We do not think,” 
say they, “that prescribing the habits is merely a civil 
vung And how can that habit be thought decent, which 
was brought in to dress up the theatrical pomp of popery ? 
The papists glory in this our imitation of them. We - 
prove of rules to promote order, but this ought not to 
applied to those things which destroy the peace of the 
church, and which are neither necessary, nor useful; and 
that tend not to any edification, but only to recommend 
those forms which most persons abhor. The papists glory 
. in this, that these habits were brought in by. them; for the 
f of which, they vouch Qtho’s constitutions and the 


man pontifical. | 

“ In King Edward's time, the surplice was not univer- 
sally used, nor pressed upon the clergy, and the copes then 
taken away, are now restored. This is not to extirpate 
- popery, but to plantit again; and instead of going forwards 
_ in the work of reformation, is going backwards. Wedo 
not make religion to consist in habits; but only oppose 
those who do. We hate contention, and are ever ready to — 
enter into a friendly conference about this matter. We do 
not desert our churches, and leave them exposed to wolves, 
bat, to our great grief, are driven from them. And we 
leave our brethren (meaning those who conformed) to stand 
or fall to their own master, and desire the same favourable 


* Ames’s Fresh Suit, part ii. p. 269—272. 


372 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


forbearance from them. All that is pretended is, that the 
habits are not unlawful. But they ought not to be taken 
from wr enemies, P f 4 f 

«© We are far,” say they, “ from any design of making a 
schism, or of Guarrelling. We will not condemn things 
indifferent, as unlawful. We wish the occasion of the con- 
tention removed, and the remembrance of it for ever buried. 
They who condemn the papal pride, cannot like tyranny in 
afree church. The doctrine of our church is now pure, 
and why should there be any defect in our worship ? y 
should we borrow any thing from popery ? Why should 
‘we not agree in rites, as well as in doctrine, with the other 
reformed churches? We have a good opinion of our 
bishops, and bear with their state and pomp. We once 
bore the same cross with them, and preached the same 
Christ with them; why then are we now turned out of our 
benefices, and some cast into prison, only about the habits ? 
We pray that God may quiet these dissentions, and send 
forth more labourers into his vineyard.””* 

“ But the dispute,” say they, “is not about the cap and 
surplice. There are other grievances which ought to be 
redressed,- or dispensed with = as music and organs In 
' divine worship.—The sponsors in baptism answering in 

name of the child.—The cross in baptism.—Kneeling at the 
sacrament, and the use of unleavened bread.—The want of 
discipline in the church.—The marriage of the clergy is not 
legitimate, but their children are looked upon as bastards.— 
arriage is not to be performed without a ring.— Women 
are not to be churched without a veil_—The court of 
faculties; pluralities; licenses for nonresidences, for eating 
flesh in Lent, &c.—Ministers have not free liberty to preach, 
without subscribing to the use and approbation of all the 
ceremonies.’’+ : 

‘During the above year, Queen Elizabeth paid her pom- 
pous visit to the university of Oxford, on which occasion 
our author distinguished himself in a public disputation 
before her majesty. Every day the queen was entertained 
‘with academical exercises of different kinds ; in which the 
wits of the ablest men in that age, were stretched to the 
utmost, to merit the applause of so illustrious an audience. 
The queen, together with her train of courtiers, was present 
‘at a divinity act, in which Dr. Humphrey was defendant ; 
and Drs. Godwin, Westphaling, Overton, Calfchill, and 


* Burnet’s Hist. of Refor. vol. iii. p. 310—S12. 
t+ Ibid. Records, p. 835. 


HUMPHREY. «378 


Peirce, wereopponents. Bishop Jewel acted on this occasion, 
as moderator. At the conclusion, her: majesty delivered 
a “pecon in praise of the learned disputants.» —— . 
_ ‘This learned divine was, at length, favoured with a tole- 
ration for about ten or eleven years; and about 1576, he 
consented to wear the habits. Wood says, in the year 
1570, but Mr. Sirype, 1576, he was made dean of Glouces- 
ter; and in 1580, he was removed from the deanery of 
Gloucester, to that of Winchester. This he kept to his 
death.t He was particularly intimate with the Lord 
Treasurer Burleigh, who, even before he consented to wear 
the habits, moved the queen to prefer him to a bishopric : 
but, as Burleigh informed him, his nonconformity scered 
to be the chief impediment in the way.t The Earl o 
Leicester, in his letter to the university of Cambrid 
dated March 26, 1567, makes very honourable mention o 
him, and most warmly recommends him to the office of 
vice-chancellor of that university ; “ who,” says he, “ is 
every way a right worthy man.”s Dr. Humphrey was 
intimate with Mr, Gilby, a celebrated puritan, at Ashby-de- 
la-Zouch in Leicestershire, with whom he held a friendly 
‘correspondence. Some of his letters to this venerable divine 
are now before me, addressed ‘to his worshipful and well 
beloved friend Mr. Anthony Gilby, at Ashby ;”” in one of 
which he writes as follows :j 
.  § My salvation in Christ Jesus. oo 
_ £©¥ thank you for your good counsel. I would I were 
« as well able as I am willing. Though many brethren and 
nobles also wish; yet we must pray that God may open 
‘© the queen’s majesty’s ears to hear of a reformation; for 
‘there is the stay. And openly to publish such admoni- 
“tions as are abroad, I like not; for in some parts and 
‘‘‘terms, they are too broad and overshoot themselves. A 
“ book, indeed, I gave as a. present of mine office an 
«© cognizance of the university, a Greek Testament, with 
“mine additions or collections, to stir up her majesty to 
€¢ peruse the book, and to reform the church, by it, in cer- 
“¢ tain sentences.’ I have there declared, and in a word or 
“< two using orations, the copy whereof | send you. The 
sé Lord Jesus bless you and yours, Oxon. Jan. 17, 1572. 
| “¢ Yours; L. Humpurey.” 


* Biog. Britan. vol. iv. p. 2290. Edit. 1147. 

+ Wood’s Athene Oxon. vol, i. p. 195.—Strype’s Annals, vol. ii. p, 451, 
Ibid. vol. i. p. 430. 

Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. xvii, p. 256, 
Ibid. vol, xxxii. p. 431. 


S74 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


As Dr. Humphrey was many y-ars president of Magdalen 
college, Oxford, public professor of divinity in the univer- 
sity, and several times vice-chancellor; so the Oxford ki 
torian, who denominates him the standard-bearer of the non~, 
conformists, says, that he stocked his college with suc + 
generation of nonconformists, as could not be rooted out ok it 
many years after his death; and that he sowed in the divinity 
schools, such seeds of Calvinism, and such hatred of popery, 
as if notbing but divine truth was to be found in the one, and 
nothing but abominations in the other. Nevertheless, he 
adds, Humphrey was a great and general scholar, an able 
linguist, and a deep divine; and who, for the excellency 
of his style, the exactness of his method, and the solidity of 
his matter, was superior to most theologians in his day. 
Archbishop Matthews said, “ Dr. Humphrey hath read 
more fathers, than Campian the Jesuit ever saw ; devoured 
more than he ever tasted; and taught more than he ever 
heard or read.”* He had the honour of seeing many of his 
pupils become bishops, while he, who was every way their 
superior, was denied any considerable preferment, on 
account of his puritanical principles. At length, aftera 
life of much labour and hard study, he died in the month of 
February, 1589, aged sixty-three years. Fuller styles him 
a moderate and conscientious nonconformist, and says, that 
at his death, he bequeathed a considerable quantity of fold 
to Magdalen college.t Granger says, he was one of the 

test divines, and most general scholars, of his age; and 
that when Queen Elizabeth visited the university, he and 
Bishop Jewel entertained her majesty with a public theo- 
logical disputation.t The remains of Dr. Humphrey were 
interred in the inner chapel belonging to Magdalen college, 
where a monumental inscription was erected to his memory, 
of which the following is a translation :§ 


Sacred to the MEMORY 
of LAWRENCE Humpurey, D. D. 
twenty-eight years Regius Professor 
and Governor of this College. 
His eldest daughter, 
JUSTINIA DORMER, 
erected this monument to the memory 
of her venerable Father. 
He died in February, 1589, 
aged 63. 


® Wood's Athene Oxon. vol. i. p. 195, 196. 
+ Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p.934. 0. 
bf Granger's Biog. Hist, vol. i. p. 211. 
§ Wood's Hist. et Antiq. lib. ii, p. 203. 


SAMPSON. 375 


* Fis Worxs.—1. Epistola de Grecis literis, & Homeri lectione & 
istiitatione, ad Prasidem, &c., 1568.—2. De Religione Conversatione 
& Reformatione deque Primatus Regum, 1550.—3. De Ratione 
Interpretandi Authores, 1560.—4. Optimates sive de Nobilitate, 
é€jasque antiqua origine, natura, officiis, disciplina, &c., 1560.*-— 
4. Orationes Woodstochize habite ad illustress. R. Eliz., 1572.—. 
G De Vita et Morte Johannis Juelli: Ejusq; vere Doctrine 
Defeasio, cum Refutatione quorundam Objectorum, Hardingi, 
Sanderi, &c., 1573.—7. De fermento: vitando: conscio in Matt. xvi.. 

% Vili. Luc. xii., 1582.—8. Jesuitismi pars prima, 1582.—. 
9. ‘Jesuitismi pars secunda, 1584.—10. Apologelica Epistola ad 
Academie Oxoniensis Chancellgrium, 1585.11. Seven Sermons 
against Treason, 1588.—412. Conscio in die Cinerum.—-Many of these 
arfiocles were translated and published in English, 


. Tuomas Sampson, D. D.—This celebrated divine was: 
horn about the year 1517, and educated in the university of 
Oxford. Afterwards he studied at the Temple, became a 
zealous protestant, a distinguished preacher, angi instru- 
mental in the conversion of John Bradford, the famous 
martyr. He married the niece of old Bishop Latimer. He 
was ordained by Archbishop Cranmer and Bishop Ridley, 
who, at his request, dispensed with the habits. He was highly: 
esteemed by these two reverend prelates. He was preacher 
in the army of Lord Russel, in his expedition against the 
Scots. In the year 1551, he became rector of Alhallow 
Bread-street, London; the year following he’was preferr 
to the deanery of Winchester ; and he continued a famous 
preacher to the death of King Edward.+ Upon the 
accession of Qneen Mary, he concealed himself for some 
time. During this period, he and Mr. Richard Chambers, 
another zealgus protestant, collected money in London, for: 
the support and encouragement of poor scholars in the two 
universities. But it was no sooner discovered, than they: 
were both obliged to flee for their lives. . For, August 16, 
1554, Mr. Bradford, Mr. Becon, and Mr. Veron, were 
apprehended and committed to the Tower; and Sampsan: 
was to have been committed the same day, and was even. 
sought after for. this purpose, in the house jn which Mr. 
” * Mr. Strype highly commends this work, hoth for the excellency of its 
matter, and the elegancy of its style. In this work, the author, speaking 
of astrology, says, ‘* Thig science above the rest was sp snatched at, so 
‘* beloved, and even devoured by most persons of fashion, that they needed 
‘no incitements to it, but a bridle rather; not ta be set on, but rather 
* taken off from it, And that many had so trusted to this, that they almost 
** distrusted God.” —Strype’s Cranmer, p. 388.—Hiog. Britan. vol. iii. py 
A8i. Edit. 1778. 
+ Strype’s Cranmer, p, 192, 292.—Troubles at Frankeford, p. 168, 


574 LIVES OF. THE PURITANS. 


Bradford was taken. Because he could not: be fonnd, the 
Bishop of Winchester fumed exceedingly, as was usually 
the case with angry prelates.» Thus, having nérrow! 
escaped the fire, he fled to Strasburgh, where he was mu 
esteemed by the learned Tremelius.+ He was intimately 
acquainted with most of the learned exiles, and particularly 
John Jewel, afterwards the celebrated Bishop of Salisbury. 
By the joint advice of Dr. Sampson, Dr. Edwin Sandys, 
and Mr. Richard Chambers, Jewel was induced soon 
his arrival on the continent, to make a public confession of 
his sorrow, for his late subscription in favour of popery.t 
Sampson, during his exile, was concerned in writing 
and publishing the Geneva Translation of the Bible.§ 
Upon the accession of Queen Elizabeth, our learned 
divine returned home. While on his journey, ~ being 
informed that a bishopric was designed for him, he wrote to 
Peter Martyr for his opinion and advice, whether it was 
Jawful to swear “ that the queen was supreme head of the 
church under Christ.” He thought that Christ was the 
only supreme head of the church, and that no account of 
any inferior head was to be found in scripture. He thought, 
also, that the want of discipline in the church of England, 
rendered it impossible for a bishop to perform his duty. 
The method of electing bishops, appeared to him, y 
different from the primitive institution: the consent - of 
neither clergy, nor people, being so much as asked. The 
superstitious dress of bishops seemed to him very unbecom- 
ing. He wrote to his learned friend, not that he expected a 
bishopric would be offered him ; but he prayed to God 
that it might not. He resolved to apply himself to preach- | 
ing the gospel, and to avoid having any share in the 
government of the church, till he saw a thorough reforma- 
tion, both in doctrine and discipline. 
. Upon the reception of Peter Martyr’s answer, Sampson 
replied, January 6, 1560, saying, “ We are under sad 
apprehensions, concerning which, we desire an interest in 
your prayers. We are afraid lest the truth of religion, in 
ngland, should either be overturned, or very much 
darkened. Things still stick with me. I can have neither 
ingress, nor egress. God knows how glad I should be to 
have an egress. Let others be bishops, I desire only to be 


* Fox’s Martyrs, vol. iii. p. 76. 

+ Wood's Athene Oxon. vol. i. p. 192. 

; Biog. Britan. vol. iv. p. 2759, Edit, 1747. 
See Art. Coverdale. 


SAMPSON. gr 


a preacher, and no bishop. There is yet a general prohibi+ 
tion of preaching ; and still a crucifix on the altar at court, 
with lights burning before it. And though, by the queen’s 
order, images are removed out of the churches all over the 
kingdom, yet the people rejoice to see that this is still kept 
in the queen’s chapel.* Three bishops officiate at the altar: 
one as priest, another as deacon, and a third as sub-deacon, 
all in rich copes before the idol: and there is sacrament 
without any sermon. Injunctions are sent to preachers 
not to use freedom in reproving vice.” He then asks 
Martyr, Bullinger, and Bernardin, what they thought of 
these things ; and whether, if similar injunctions were sent to 
all churches, the clergy ought to obey, or suffer deprivation 
rather than comply. | 

. May 13th he wrote again, signifying that a bishopric had 
been offered him, but he had refused to accept it ; for which, 
he desired Peter Martyr not to censure him, till he became 
acquainted with the whole matter. He rejoiced that 
Parkhurst+ was made Bishop of Norwich. And Norwich, 
if seems, was the bishopric offered tohim.; This illustrious 
divine, therefore, refused the offered preferment, because he 
was thoroughly dissatisfied with the episcopal office, the 
popish habits, and the superstitious ceremonies. ~ __ 

_ During the three first years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, 
Dr, Sampson delivered the rehearsal sermons at Paul’s cross, 
and is said to have been appointed to do this on account of 
his wonderful memory and fine elocution ;§ and in her royal 
visitation in the north, he was the visitor’s preacher. In 
the year 1560, he became dean of Christ-church, Oxford, 
To procure his settlement in this public situation, the 
members of the house wrote to Lord Dudley, urging him 
to prevail upon the queen, in behalf of Sampson. In thig 
letter, subscribed by twenty-two persons of distinguished 


eo, ” Dr. Sampson having laid a Common Prayer Boek, (adorned with 
ne cuts and pictures, representing the stories of the saintsjand martyrs, ) in 
the queen’s chapel, for her use, it is said, that she severely reprimanded. 
him for so doing, and told him, ‘* That she had an aversion to idolatry, and 
“ to images and pictures of this kind.—That he had forgot her proclamae 
‘* tion against images, pictures, and Roman relics in churches.—And she 
** ordered that no more mistakes of this kind should be committed within 
** the churches of her realm for the future.” It seems difficult to reconcile 
this, to.her majesty’s conduct in still retaining idolatrous worship in her 
own chapel.—Sirype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 239. ; 
+ Bishop Parkhurst, who was an exile in the days of Queen Mary, was 
@ person of great learning, a worthy prelate, and always a decided friend 
to the nonconformists.—MS. Chronology, vol. i. p. 273. (2.) 
Burnet’s Hist. of. Refor. vol.-iii. p. 291, 292. 
Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 238. - 


$78 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


learning, they say, ‘* That as for Dr. Sampson, after well 
considering all the learned men in the land, they found none 
to be compared to him, for singular learning and great 
piety, having the praise of all men. And that it was very 
doubtful, whether there was a better man, a greater linguist, 
a more complete scholar, or a more protound divine.”*— 
Afterwards, Dr. Sampson, Dr. Lawrence Humphrey, and 
Mr. Andrew Kingsmill, all celebrated puritans, were the 
only protestant preachers in the university of Oxford.+ 
Dr. Sampson sat in the convocation of 1562, and sub- 
scribed the Articles of Religion. This being finished, 
many learned members of the lower house, presented to the 
house a paper of requests, chiefly relating to matters of 
discipline, in which they desired an allowance in a number 
of important particulars. His name is among those who 
subscribed.t While the convocation was discussing the 
subject of discipline, the prolocutor, with Dr. Sampson and 
Dr. Day, presented to the upper house .a- called 
Catechismus pucrorum ; to which all the members of the 
lower house had unanimously given their consent. They: 
left the book with their lordships ; but there, unfortunately, 
it.remained without any further notice.; Afterwards, Kis 
scruples and objections against the prescribed habits. and. 
ceremonies, being known at ‘court, Secretary Cecil urged 
him to conform, adding, “ That he gave offence by his 
disobedience, and that obedience was better than sacrifice.” 
To this, Sampson, in a letter to this honourable person, 
replied, ‘“‘ That in the law, God commanded all idols to be 
destroyed, with all the ceremonies belonging to them; 
rohjbiting as much the ceremonies, as the idols themselves. 
Lhatthe godly kings of the Jews dealt with idols, idolatry,: 
the appurtenances accordingly. That the Lord 
threatencd to punish those who should retain such 
Ceremonies and fashions, in time of reformation. That 
Christ did not communicate in any traditions devised by * 
the pharisees ; but reproved them, and warned the apostles 
to take heed of them.* Therefore, all ceremonies devised 
and used by idolatrous papists, ought to be rejected, 
destroyed, and forbidden. And though men in authority 
command otherwise, yet he, who thus followeth the mind of 
God in his word, doth yield that obedience, which is better 


* Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 432, 433. 

+ Wood’s Athenee Oxon. vol. i. p. 198. 

t Strype’s Annals, vol. i, p. 290, 298. ii, Adden. p. 15... 
§ Churton’s Life of Nowell, p- 9G. 


SAMPSON. _ gt 
than sacrifice.’ He observed further, * That:the conduct 


of the primitive christians, in refusing such things, was yoill. 


of blame.—That to prescribe a certain uniform array for 
ministers, came out of the corrupt-state of the church.— 
That all reformations ought to be framed according to 
the original and pure state of the church.—That if ‘the 
reformation would not admit this, but would determine the 
réverse, he could not see how this should bind him, who 
knew and desired greater purity.—That these were 
only some of the reasons which constrained him to do 
as he did.— And that as he put no restraint upon others, 
but left them to the Lord, so he desired to be left in like 
manner,””* , | 

__ In the year 1564, Dr. Sampson and his much esteemed 
friend, Dr. Humphrey, were cited before the high com- 
- mission, at Lambeth, an account of which is given in another 


place.t After being harassed for some time, Humphrey, — 


at length, obtained a toleration; but Sampson suffered 
deprivation, and was rentoved from the university. The 
proceedings of the commissioners were severe enough, even 
in the opinion of Dr. Heylin; who adds, “ that he was 
worthily deprived, and that, by this severity, the puritans 
found what they might expect.”t Some of the learned 
lawyers, however, disputed the legality of his deprivation, 
and were of opinion, that the commissioners were involved 
in a premunire. Indeed, Sampson was deprived not only 
of his deanery, but of his liberty too, and was kept for 
some time in a state of confinement: nor was he able, 
without much trouble, to -procure his release; He was 
- succeeded in the deanery of Christ-church by Dr. Thomas 
‘Godwin, afterwards Bishop of Bath and Wells.} 

In the year 1573, our learned divine was struck with the 
dead palsy on one side; and having enjoyed, for some time, 
the lecture at Whittington college, London, for which he 
‘Yeceived ten pounds a year, he resigned it into the hands of 
his patrons. It was in the gift of the company of cloth- 
‘workers, to whom he recommended Mr. Edward Deering, 
whom they chose for his successor; but this divine being 
silenced for noncenformity, Archbishop Parker utterly 
refused his allowance.s Mr. Deering was a man of great 


td 


* Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 438, 484. + See Art. Humphrey. 
{ Heylin’s Hist. of Presby. p. 250. 

Strype’s Parker, p. 186, 187. 
§ Biog. Britan, vol. iv. ‘p: 2230. Edit, 1147. & Ibid. p. 469, 470. 


880 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


learning, exemplary piety, and an excellent preacher ; and 
the benefice being very small, it reflects not a little upon the 
severity of this prelate. 

In March this year, Dr. Sampson sent a letter, written 
by another person, to the Lord Treasurer Burleigh, signify- 
ing, that God had becn pleased to take from him the use of 
half his limbs, though not his senses ; which was the occasion 
of his using the hand of another. And though this disease 
was to him as the messenger of death, he thanked God, 
that he was ready to depart in peace. He was, indeed, 
constrained, before his heavenly father called him home, to 
trouble his lordship once more. He, therefore, earnestly 
solicited him to use his utmost endeavours to promote the 
necessary reformation of the church, and herein recom- 
mended the directions in Bucer’s book on the Kingdom of 
Christ. ‘* My lord,” says he, ‘though the doctrine of the 
gospel is preached in the church of nd, the govern 
ment of the church, as appointed in the gospel, is still 
wanting. The doctrine, and the government, as a 
by Christ, are both good ; and are to be joined , 
and not separated. It is a deformity to see a church, 
professing the gospel of Christ, governed by those canons 
and customs, by which antichrist rulcth his synagogue. 
Martin Bucer wrote a book to King Edward, upon this 
subject, entitled De Regno Christi. There you will see 
what is wanting of the kingdom of Christ, in the church 
of England. My lord, I beseech you to read this faithful 
and brief epitome of the book, which I have sent you; and 
J bescech you to lay it to heart. It is the cause of Jesus 
Christ and his church, and very much concerneth the souls 
of men. Use your utmost endeavours, that, as Christ 
teacheth us in the church of England, he may also rule 
and govern us, cven by the laws of his kingdom. Help, 
my lord, in this good work of the Lord your God. By so 
doing, you will serve him who is King of kings, and be 
will acknowledge your good service, when all kings and 
lords shall appear before him. My good lord, use your 
authority for the glory of Christ, and the peace and 
welfare of his church. You cannot employ your authority 
in a better cause.” To this advice, the treasurer ret 
a christian reply, saying, “ that he very much approved of 
what was urged, but was unable to do all that he recom- 
mended.” Dr. Sampson, also, returned hima very approe 


* Strype’s Annals, vol. il. p. 365—367. 


SAMPSON. ts ssl 


priate answer, reminding him how much he did at the com- 
mencement of the reformation ; that his will and his power 
were not lessened, but increased; and that, seeing others 
sought a reformation by stopping both preaching and 
government, the state of the church stood now as much in 
need of his assistance as ever.* © 

The following year he wrote to Grindal, formerly his 
companion in exile, but now advanced to the high dignity 
of Archbishop of York. Several letters passed betwixt 
them. Dr. Sampson reminded him of his former low 
condition, and cautioned him against being too much exalted 
with his present high title.. Grindal, who was certainly 
different from many of the other dignitaries, told him, he 
did not value the title of lord, but was chiefly concerned to 
discharge the duties of his function faithfully, until the 
great day of the Lord Jesus. ‘To this, Sampson replied, 
‘¢ You say, you are not lordly, nor value your lordly estate, 
in which, I hope, you say true. Yet I must further 
observe, that if you whom worldly policy hath made a 
lord, be not lordly, but keep an humble and a loving brother, 
and minister of Christ, shall I say you area phoenix? I 
will say that you are by the special grace of God, most. 
happily preserved. Yet your state, your port, your train 
“of waiting-men in the streets, your gentleman-usher goin 
before you with bare head, your family full of idle serving- 
men, and the rest of your worldly appendages, look very 
lordly. Perhaps the same policy which makes you a lord, 
also charges you with this lordly state. But doth the Lord 
‘ Jesus, whose minister you rejoice to be, charge you with 

it? Such a number of idle serving-men is unprofitable 
and unsuitable to the minister of Christ; and, surely, such 
persons ought not to be maintained by the patrimony of the 
church. “Tf policy have, therefore, charged you with th 
it is very desirable that policy should discharge you; an 
that the patrimony of Christ may be employed in the 
support of labourers in the Lord’s harvest, and the poor 
members of his church. But if you take this lordly state 
upon you, without the charge of policy, your fault is the 
greater : This is one of the ‘Brcat evils which popery hath 
in the church of England.” 

As the archbishop had pitied his poverty and lameness, 
‘he further adds, “J do not remember that I ever com- 
plained of the one or the other. If I did of the first, I was 


* Strype’s Parker, Appen. p. 177, 178. 


382 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


to blame; for I must have complained before I suffered 
want. Touching my lameness, | am so. far from con- 
laining, that | umbl thank God for it. It isthe Lord's 
and which hath touched me. He might have smitten or 
destroyed me: but of his most rich favour and mercy 
through Jesus Christ, as a loving father, he hath dealt thus 
tenderly with me. | bless and praise his name for it. Ifhe 
see that my poor labour will be of any further service in his 
church, he will heal me: but if he have determined by this 
lameness, to lead me to my grave, the Lord give me grace 
to say with Eli, ¢ It is the Lord, let him do what 
him good.’ | shall labour, as well as | am able, till I drop 
into the grave. Though I am in bonds, those bonds are 
from the Lord; and if it were put to my choice, I would 
rather carry them to my grave, than be freed from them, 
and be cumbered with a bishopric.’ 

Dr. Sampson having been presented to the mastership of 
the hospital at Leicester, upon his being seized with the 
palsy, he retired to this situation, where he spent the 
remainder of his days. Here he was of great service to the 
hospital, in restoring its privileges and endowments, Ao 
account of this is related at some length, to the 
honour of his character.t He was intimate with all the 
leading puritans, with whom he held a friendly correspond- 
ence. Among these was the venerable Mr. Gilby of Ashby. 
His letters to this ccel-brated divine are now before me, one 
of which, dated Leicester, March 8, 1584, was as follows: 

‘¢ My constant salutation in the Lord. 

1 do hereby thank you for your loving letter which you 
sent me last. 1 have well advised upon your godly 
“ counsel; but I am not so forward in the matter as you do 
“think. I do not take upon me to set down a platéorm of 
‘¢ reformation. I do only desire that meet men may be called 
*¢ by authority, to consult thereupon. In which assembly 
J could find in mine heart to be a door-keeper, though it 
“* were only to keep out dogs. I have a mind to proceed 
‘in that which I proposed. The Lord direct me by his 
“grace to do that which is good in his sight. Thus 
*¢ praying you to pray for me, 1 commit you to God. 

BY pray J 
‘“ Yours in Christ, 
‘Tuo. SAMPSON. 

“PS. Until ambition and proud Pope xxiii. be pulled 
** down, there is no hope for any good to be done in con- 


* Strype’s Parker, Appen. 278—280. 
+ Strype’s Annals, vol. il. p. $81, 382. 


, SAMPSON. | , ' SBF 


’  gultation. Bishops arenomeetmen. They are too partial ; 
“and the university-men will never yield in disputation. 
‘¢ Pray for reformation by the power of the word preached.» 
In the above year, Dr. Sampson was concerned in pre- 
senting a supplication to the queen, the council, and the 
parliament, for a further reformation of the church. It was 
entitled ‘“‘ A Supplication to be exhibited to our sovereign 
lady, Queen Elizabeth, to the honourable Lords of her most 
honourable Privy Council, and to the High Court of Par- 
liament.” This supplication, consisting of thirty - four 
articles at considerable length, enumerates many gricvances 
still retained in the church, and, upon very powerful 
grounds, humbly solicits a peaceable and speedy redress; 
but is too long for our insertion.t To this supplication, 
Dr.. Sampson prefixed an address, in which many com- 
plaints are enumerated; among which are the following: 
We have not vigilant, able, and painful preaching pastors 
resident among us, to teach us the word of » by 
preaching and catechising. We have some kind of pastors, 
ut many of them do not reside on their benefices. Some 
of them are licensed to two, and some to three benefices. 
If our bishops provided -a remedy for this evil, we would 
- pot complain. But they are so tar from providing a remedy, 
that they increase the evil daily. ‘They are constantly 
‘ making ministers, who will only read out: of a printed 
book, what they are compelled to read; and, with this, the 
bishops are sufficiently satisfied. Though they want the 
gift of teaching, they boldly seek to obtain the place of 
teachers. And, seeing that pastors are commanded to feed 
the flock of God, over which the Holy Ghost makes them 
' overseers, surely it is very preposterous and presumptuous, 
to ordain those men to be pastors who cannot feed the flock. 
The pastors whom the Lord allows and esteems, are such as 
Seed his people with knowledge and understanding. Such did 
our Saviour send forth. Such did his apostles require; 
that, by sound doctrine, they might convince the gain- 
sayers, apt to teach, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

“< We might,” says he, “ greatly increase our-complaint. 
For the good and useful teachers among us, are much 
discouraged. Some of them are displaced and silenced, 
not because they do not teach us plainly and faithfully, but 

se of their nonconformity to the unprofitable cere- 
monies which men have devised. "We most humbly beseech 

* Baker’s MS, Collec. vol. xxxil, p“488. - 

+ Strype’s Annals, vol. iii. Appen. p. 68—-81.. 


384 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


your highness and honours, to call to your remembrance, 
that they who do well may receive that praise and comfort 
which they deserve. This hard treatment of our pastors, 
brings us into great distress. We are sure, that when the 
bishops deprive our preaching and laborious pastors of 
their livings, and stop their mouths, so that they cannot 
teach us the will of our God; they undertake to do that for 
which they must give an account, in the great day of the Lord. 
We have great need of such pastors as can and will teach us 
the way of the Lord. We have no need at all of idle cere- 
monies, which do not in the least edify in true godliness. 
Silencing our preaching pastors, who would feed our souls 
with the provision of God’s word ; and imposing upon us mere 
readers, furnished with unprofitable ceremonies, is taki 

from us the bread of life, which God hath prepared for: us, 
and feeding us with the unprofitable devices of men.”’* The 
supplication was sent to the treasurer, followed by two 
letters from Sampson, entreating his lordship to do every 
thing in his power to forward the business; but all proved 
ineffectual.t The ruling prelates, with Archbishop Whitgift 


at their head, remained inflexible. 
Dr. Sampeon was a divine highly celebrated for learning, 
piety, and zeal in the protestant cause, and was y 


esteemed in all parts of the kingdom. Upon his retiring te 
Leicester, he employed the rene nde of his days chi in 
the government of his hospital, and his beloved work: of 
preaching. And having spent his life in much labour, 
‘and many troubles, he died in great tranquillity, and com- 
fort in his nonconformity, April 9, 1589, aged seventy-two 
years.t His mortal part was interred in the chapel belong- 
ing to his hospital, where was a monumental iuscription 
erected to his memory, of which the following is a trans- 
stion :§ | 


To the Memory 
and honour of Tuomas SAMPSON, ; 
a very keen enemy to the Romish hierarchy 
and popish superstitions, 
but a most constant advocate of gospel truth. 
For twenty-one years 
he was the faithfal Keeper of this Hospital, 
Being justly entitled . 
to the high esteem of the Christian world, 


* Strype’s Annals, vol. iii. Appen. p. 229—-82T. 
+ Strype’s Whitgift, p. 184. . 

Wood’s Athene, vol. i. p. 198. 

Weod’s Hist. et Antig. lib, it. p. 9§4. 


FULKE. 385 


his sons JOHN and NATHANIEL | 
erected this monument to the memory of their , 
beloved Father. | 


His Works.—1. A Letter to the Professors of Christ’s Gospel, in 
the parish of Alhallows in Bread-street, London, 1554.—2, A Warning 
to fake heed of Fowler’s Psalter, 1578.—3. Brief Collection of the 
Church and the Ceremonies thereof, 1581.—4. Prayers and Meditations 
Apostolike, gathered and framed out of the Epistles of the Apostles, 
}592.—He collected and published several Sermons written by his 
old friend, Mr, John Bradford 


' Wiiuram Forxe, D. D.—This celebrated divine was 
born in London, and educated in St. John’s college, Cam-_ 
bridge, where he was chosen fellow in 1564. He was a 
youth of great parts, and a very high spirit. When he 
was a boy at school, having a literary contest with the 
us Edmund Campion, and losing the silver pen which 
was proposed to the victor, he is said to have been angry 
and mortified to a degree almost beyond conception. Before 
he became fellow of his college, he spent six years at 
Clifford’s-inn, where, in compliance with the wishes of his 
father, he was employed in the study of the law. But 
upon his return to the university, not liking the law, he 
directed his studies to other objects more congenial to his 
wishes; with which his father was so exceedingly offended, 
that though he was a man of considerable property, he’ 
refused to afford him support. Young Futke, not dis- 
couraged by the unnatural treatment of his parents, was 
resolved to persevere in his literary pursuits, and to make 
his way through the world as well as he could. This he 
did, by his uncommon endowments, with the greatest ease. 
He studied with intense application, the mathematics, the 
uages, and divinity, and became a most celebrated 
scholar in each of these departments. | 
_ This learned divine espoused the principles of the 
puritans at a very early period; and in the year 1565, he 
preached openly and boldly against the popish habits and 
eeremonies incorporated with the ecclesiastical establish- 
ment. This presently roused the attention of the ruling 


ecclesiastics, when he was.cited before the chancellor of the - . 


university. Though our author does not say what 
cution he underwent, nor what penajty he suffered, the | 
chancellor declared his determination to proceed en nat 
him with rigour, and that he should find no. t% ; . 
VOL I. _2¢e SO 


$86 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


persisting in this wantonness, as he was pleased to call his 
nonconformity ;*> and we may suppose he was as good as 
his word. The deficiency of information is, however, sup- 
plied by another author, who observes, that on account of 
his puritanism, he was expelled from his college; when he 
, took lodgings in the town, and procured a support by the 
delivery of public lectures.+ 

Dr. Fulke having gained a most distinguished reputation, 
so early as the year 1569, he was upon the point of being 
chosen master of St. John’s college, by a very considerable 
party, who had the highest value for him. This greatly 
offended Archbishop Parker, who, seasonably interposing 
put a stop to his election.t The jealous archbishop could | 
not bear that ‘* Fulke’s head should be thus stroken,” as he 
expressed it; and he knew it was best to crush puritanism 
in the bud. ‘ About the same time, the Earl of Leicester, a 
constant friend and patron of such men, received him 
under his hospitable roof, and made him his domestic 
chaplain. Also, during the above year, he was charged with 
being concerned in certain unlawful marriages ; but upon his 
examination by the Bishop of Ely, he was acquitted, and - 
the charge proved to be altogether acalumny. He presently 
recovered his reputation. ough while he remained under 
the public odium, he voluntarily resigned his fellowship ; 
yet his innocency was no sooner proved, than he was | 
re-elected by the college.s | | 

In the year 1571, the Earl of Essex presented Dr. Fulke 
to the rectory of Warley in Essex, and, soon after, to the 
rectory of Kedington in Suffolk. About this time, he took 
his doctor’s d at Cambridge, and was incorporated in 
the same at Oxford. The year following, he accompanied 
the Earl of Lincoln, then lord high admiral, as ambassador 
to the court of France.j] Upon his return, he was chosta 
master of Pembroke hall, and Margaret professor of divinity, 
in the university of Cambridge. THe was succeeded in his 
mastership by Dr. Andrews, chaplain to Queen Elizabeth, 
and afterwards successively Bishop of Chichester and 
Winchester.1 

Dr. Fulke was particularly intimate with Mr. Thomas 


_ © Strype’s Parker, p. 197. Appen. p. 72. os 
+ Middleton’s Biographia Evangelica, vol. ii. p. 262. Edit. P1004 
¢ Strype’s Parker, p. 280. § Ibid. ot ' 
| &rype’s Annals, vol. ii. p. 240. 
& Baker's M&, Collec. vol. vi. p. 205. 


ee ree 


tue 


. FULKE- . S87. 


Cartwright; . knew well his great worth; and united 
with other learned divines in- warmly soliciting him to 
answer the Rhemish Testament. But when he found, that 
by the tyrannical prohibition of Archbishop Whitgift, Mr. - 
Cartwright was forbidden to proceed, he undertook: to 
answer it himself. His work was entitled ‘‘ A Cone 
futation of the Rhemish Testament,” 1589; in which he 
gave notice, that the reader might some time be favoured 
with a more complete answer from Mr. Cartwright.» That 
which occasioned the publication of the Rhemish Testament 
was. as follows:—The English papists in the seminary at 
Rheims, . perceiving, as Fuller observes, that they could no. 
fonger ‘“‘ blindfold their laity from the scriptures, resolved. 
to fit them with false spectacles; and set forth the Rhemish . 
translation,” in opposition to the protestant versions. Fulke 
undertook, and successfully accomplished, an entire refuta- 
tion of the popish version aud commentary. The late Mr. 
Hervey passed a very just encomium on this noble per- 
formance: which he styles, ‘‘a valuable piece of ancient. 
controversy and criticism, full of sound diviaity, weighty 
ents, and important observations. Would the young 
student,” he adds, “ be taught to discover the very sinews. 
of popery, and be enabled to give an effectual blow to that 
_ complication of errors; I scarce know a treatise better. 
calculated for the pu + Lo, , 

In the year 1582, Dr. Fulke, with several other learned 
divines, was e in a public disputation with certain 
papists in the Tower. He was a person in every respect 

ualified for the undertaking. He had to contend with 

ampion, his old school-fellow, with whom he had tormerly 
contested for the silver pen. And it is observed, evidently . 
with a view.to reproach his principles, and depreciate his 
memory, that ‘* Dr. Fulke and Dr. Goad, being puritani-. 
cally inclined, and leaning to Calvin’s notions, afforded 
Campion, on one or two points, an advantage which his 


cause did not give him over, the real principles of the | 


Eaglish church.”} We should have been extremely. 

happy, and it would have been some addition to our stock, 

of knowledge, if our learned author had mentioned those 

points, and stated the superior advantage they afforded the 

earned Jesuit, above the real principles of the ecclesiastical 

establishment. He did not, surely, mean to insinuate, that. 
* Peirce’s Vindication, part i. 


p. 108. — . 
+ Toplady’s Historic Proof, vol. ii. p. 196, 197. 
{ Churton’s Life of Nowell, p. 278. 


SS LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


ritanism and Calvin’s notions approach nearet to popety, 
than the church of England. PP 

Dr. Fulke was author of a work, entitled “A brief and 

in Declaration, containing the desires Of all those faith- 

Ministers who seek Discipline and Reformation of the 
Church of England, which may serve as a just Apology 
against the false Accusations and Slanders of their Adver- 
saries,” 1584. Here he sufficiently declares his sentiments 
relative to church discipline and matters of nonconf ‘ 
Though Mr. Dudley Finner’s name is prefixed to the w 
Dr. Fulke was its author.» He was a very holy man, 
a divine of uncommon learning and abilities, but ever 
scrupled some points of conformity. Wood styles him a 
philosopher, and a pious and solid divine.t Granger 
Observes, that he gained a great tation by his writings 
against Cardinal Allen, and his “ Confutation of Heskins, 
Sanders, and Rastell, three pillars of Popery,” 1559. Dr. 
Fulke was, for a considerable time, says he, a warm 
advocate for the principles of the nonconformists; but in 
process of time, got the better of his prejudices, and made 
a near approach to the doctrine and discipline of the 
established church. This author, for the satisfaction of 
his readers, ought to have proved, from good authority, 
that Dr. Fulke’s principles of nonconformity arose from 
prejudice, aud to have shewn how near he afterwards 
approached towards the ecclesiastical establishment. 

As Dr. Fulke delivered his sentiments openly and freely 
on this subject, in the works that he published, let him 
speak in his own language. Giving his opinion of a bishop, 
according to the use of the church, and of the scripture, 
he affirms, ‘“ That for order and seemly government, there 
was always one principal, to whom by jong use of the 
church, the name of bishop was applied; yet in the 
scripture a bishop and an elder is of one order and 
authority.”; ‘ And,” says he, ‘there ought to be in 
évery church or congregation an eldership, which ought to 
have the hearing, examination, and determination of all 
matters pertaining to the discipline and government of that 
corgregation.Ӣ Giving his sentiments of the cross i 
baptism, he makes the following observation: “ Many, it is 


* MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 419. (1 | 5.) 
+ Wood’s Athen, vol. i. p. 124. 
¢ Granger’s Biog. Hist. vol, i. p. 215, 216. 
- § Petition of Prelates Examined, p. 15, Edit. 1GAl. 
| Paget's Church Government, p. 208. 


‘FULKE. .__, 539 


true,” says he, “speak of the sign of the cross; but the 
speak besides the book of God ; ind therefore their reasons ; 
are to be rejected. For men must not compare, or join the 
cross with the king’s stamp; for he appointed no such 
thing whereby his servants might be known, but only 
baptism.”* These sentiments afford sufficient evidence, 
that he was a puritan in his views of the ceremonies and 
discipline of the church. a 
This eminent servant of Christ, after a life of great 
labour and usefulness in the church of God, was released 
from all his toils, and received into everlasting joy, in the 
month of August, 1589; when his remains were interred in 
the chancel of the church at Kedington already mentioned. 
Afterwards a monumental inscription was there erected to 
his memory, of which the following is a translation, with 
the lines subjoined in English :+ 
; In Memory 
of WILLIAM FULKE, D. D. 
Master of Pembroke hall, Cambridge, 
and Pastor of this church of Kedington.{ 
In testimony of his continued love 
hath Robert Wright, Professor of Divinity, 
. and present pastor of this church, 
erected this monument. 
His body was committed to the ground 
August 28, 1589, | 
and lies in this chancel in hope of the resurrection 
at the coming of Christ. 


In deepest learning, with a zealous love, 

To Heaven and Truth, could privileges prove 

To keep back death, no hand had written here 

Lies Reverend Fulke, till Christ in clouds appear. 

His Works will shew him more free from ali error, 
Rome’s foe, Truth’s champion, and the Rhemist’s terror.. 


_ Dr. Fulke, the twelfth of the month in which he died, 
made his last will and testament, which it may not be 
improper to insert in this place. It was as follows :§ 

“ In the name of God, amen. I William Fulke, clerk, 
D. D. being of sound mind and memory, God be praised 
make here my last will and testament. First, | commen 
my soul into the hands of Almighty God my Saviour and 
Redeemer, yielding most humble and. hearty thanks unto his 
majesty for all his mercies bestowed upon me, most vile and 

* Sion’s Pi . 99, r’ . Collec. vol. ii. p. 292. 

t Here there’ap pears to thave been some’ mistake in the spelling of the 


transcriber, which we have taken the liberty to correct. 
§ Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. iii. p. 387-329. 


590 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


unworthy wretch, but especially for his mercy shewed unto 
me in Jesus Christ, in whom I believe to have remission of 
my sins, and to be justified by his blood. My body f 
commit to the earth, from whence it was taken, in stead fast 
hope of a glorious resurrection unto life everlasting, 
through thé mercy and merits of the same Lord Jesus 
Christ. Concerning my earthly goods, wherewith God 
hath blessed me, I give all my lands freehold and copy, that 
are deviseablé by law, or the custom of the manor, unto 
Christopher my eldest son, and to the heirs male of his body 
Jawfully begotten, and for default of such heir, to William 
Fulke my younger son, and to the heirs male of his body 
Jawfully begotten, and for default of such heirs, unto my 
heirs female, to be equally divided among them: and 
this I understand both of such lands as I have in possessioa, - 
and also of those lands whereof I have the remainder: or 
reversion of the last will of Christopher Fulke my dear’ 


r. 

‘“‘ Also I give and bequeath the customary lands that I 
have in Tanton called the Fullance, to William Leonard 
my brother-in-law, upon condition that he shall convey 
them over to my son Christopher, if the custom of the 
manor will permit it; but if the custom of the manor will 
not permit such conveyance, then I will that -Margaret my 
wife, within one year after my departure, shall surrender 
the same to the use of my son Christopher, or else to have 
no benefit of this my last will and testament. 

‘¢ J will that my antiquities shall be preserved to the use 
of Christopher my son, if he shall have delight in them at 
his full age, or else to the use of my son William at the like 
age, if he shall have delight in them, or else to be sold to some 
one that delights in antiquities, and the price to be equally 
divided among my daughters. Also I will that. my books 
be preserved to the use of Christopher my son, if it shall 
please God to call him to the study of divinity, or else to 
the like use of William, if God shall call him to the same 
study: but if neither of them shall study divinity, I .will 
that they shall be sold to the most advantage, and t ice 
of them to he equally divided among my daughters. 
Whereas I owe ten pounds and some odd money to Pem- 
broke. hall, I will that the same be paid into the hands of him 
that shall succeed master in my room, in the presence of the 
treasurer of the college. Also in respect of divers. benefits 


I have received of the said college, for a sign of ae Moe 
J give unto the master and fellows of the college of Me 


-FULKE = 89] 


Valence, one piece of plate made in fashion of an acorn; 
‘with a cover, which I will have to be called Dr. Fulke his 
cup, to be used only at commencements and solemn feasts, . 
_ 6 The rest of all my moveable, as moncy, plate, 
cattle, household stuf, prized reasonably according to the 
yalue, I will to be equally divided between Margaret my 
‘wife and my four daughters, Mary, Hester, Elizabeth ant 
Ann, to be delivered unto them at the full age of twenty-four 
years; or at the day of their marriage, if it shall please God 
that they shall marry before that age: so that they match in 
the fear of God, with the consent of their mother, if she be 
living, or of their uncle Samuel, if he be living. And if 
any of them depart this life before their marriage, or the 
year before said, then I will that their portion be equally 
divided among them that are living. Also whereI havea 
for three lives of a farm in Horsheath which is set over 

to my son Christopher, I will that my three daughters shall 
enjoy it successively, as they be named in the same, and 
that my son Christopher shall make conveyance unto them 
Bo soon as he shall’ be of lawful years. ,I will that the 
profit of my lands, until my son Christopher come to full 
age of twenty-one years, my wife’s dowry excepted and 
‘ten pounds a year abated for the education of my son 
‘Christopher, shall be by my executors preserved and equally 
divided between my wife and my four daughters, in manner 
and form aforesaid. 

<¢ Also, 1 make Margaret my wife, and Samuel Fulke my 
' brother, executors of this my will, in witness whereof, I have 
‘set my hand and seal this twelfth day of August, in the one 
and thirtieth year of the reign of our sovereign lady Queen 
Elizabeth. | 
. 6} Wintram Fuge.” 
- The above will was proved October 9, 1589, before 
Humphrey Tyndall, deputy to Tho. Nowell, vice-chancellor 
of Cambridge. Our celebrated divine was author of many 
‘other learned works besides those already mentioned, most 
‘of which were written against the papists. 


His Works.—1.Anti-prognosticon contra Predictiones Nestradami, 
Lovi, Hilli, &c., 1560.—2. Sermon at Hampton-Court, 1571.—3. Con- 
fatation of a Libelle in Forme of an Apology made by Frocknam, 
1571.—4. A goodly Gallery, or. Treatise on Meteors, 1571.—6, 
Astrologorum Ludus, 1571.—6. Metpomaxia, sivi, Ludus geome- 
tricus, 1578.—7. Responsio ad Tho, Stapletoni Cavillationes, 1679.— 
8. A Retentive against the Motives of Richard Bristow; also, a 


/ 


302 LIVES OF ‘THE PURITANS. 


Discovery of the Dangerous Rock of the Popish Church, 1580.—0 
A Defence of the Translation of the Holy Scriptares in English, 1583. 
—10. Confutation of Will. Allen’s Treatise in Defence of the Usurped 
Power of the Popish Priesthood. 


Jonn Garsranp, D. D.—He was born in the city of 
Oxford, educated in grammar learning at Wickham school, 
near Winchester, and in 1562, was admitted perpetual 
fellow of New College, Oxford. Afterwards, he became 
rector of N orth-Crowley in Buckinghamshire; and by the 
favour of Bishop Jewel, obtained some preferment in the 
church of Sarum. In 1582, he took his degrees in divinity. 
Upon the death of Jewel, whom he highly i e 
collected and completed several of his learned works: As, 
1. A View of a Seditious Bull sent into England-from Pius V. 
Pope of Rome, 1569.—2. A short Treatise of the Holy 
Scriptures, 1582.—3. An Exposition on the two Epistles to 
the Thessalonians, 1582.4. Certain Sermons preached at 
Paul’s Cross, 1583.—5. A Treatise of the Sacraments, gathered 
out of certain Sermons preached at Salisbury, 1583. Dr. 
Garbrand died towards the close of the year 1589, and his 
Femains were interred in the church of N orth-Crowley. 
Wood says, he was accounted a good poet, an eminent 
theologian, and a noted preacher, but a severe puritan.* 
By his last will, he gave a quantity of his books to New 
College library. 


Duprey Fenner was a divine of excellent learning and 
piety, and, for some time a celebrated tutor in the university 
of Cambridge, where he had Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Travers, 
and other distinguished persons for his pupils. Upon his 
removal from the university, he became minister at 
Cranbrook in Kent; biit being dissatisfied with the 
episcopal ordination of the church of England, he went to 
Antwerp, and was ordained according to the manner of the 
reformed churches at that place, renouncing his former 
ordination.+ During his stay at Antwerp, he preached, 
with Mr. Cartwright, to the English congregation in that 
city. But upon his return to England, he was brought into 
many troubles for nonconformity. In the year 1583, 
universal subscription to Whi its three articles being 
required of the clergy, Mr. Fenner and sixteen of his 


* Wood’s Athens» Oxon. vol. i, p. 194, 195. - 
+ Faller’s Church Hist, b. ix. p. 198.—Heylin’s Hist of Pres. p. 290. 


GARBRAND—D. FENNER. 398 


brethren, all ministers of Kent, waited upon his lordship, 
and signified that they could not subscribe with a good 
conscience. Therefore they humbly desired to know the | 
result of his proceedings, and whether they might be 
favoured with a license to continue in their beloved work of 
preaching. This they did, in a letter addressed to the 
archbishop, dated January 30, 1584 ; in which they express 
themselves as follows :*—“ Our duty in most humble 
«¢ manner unto your grace presented. ereas our coming 
“to your lordship in so great a company, was that every 
* one might be resolved, being in your lordship’s judgment 
és offensive. N otwithstandin many of our doubts have 
¢ been heard, and by your lerdship’s great pains, favourabl 
<< interpreted, we were in the end “lismissed without any 
“<< certainty of your lordship’s pleasure. We have thought 
‘¢ it meet, therefore, to signify these two things to your 
$¢ grace:—1. That we are not resolved in our consciences, 
“ of the most of our former doubts, and have yet many 
$< others not mentioned, which we judge of equal weight.— 
«2. That seeing we are not in our consciences, satisfied 
“< to subscribe, we humbly desire to understand your grace’s 
<¢ favourable purpose, in proceeding with us, and whether 
6° we shall receive license to depart or no. - 
« Your grace’s most humble to command in the Lord. . 


“ Duptey Fenner, Rosert GoLLEFoRD, 

“ Josera NiIcHOLs, Joun Exvin, 

“ JosEPH MINGE, Lever Woop, 

“ Georae Castocke, Witviam Kyicut, 
<Wituram Evans, AnTHony Hitton, 

“ James GROVE, THEopHILUs CALVER, | 
“ GeorGceE E xy, Joun Mayo, 

“ RicHARD HoLpEN, JoHN GRIMESTONE.” 


“< ANTHONY BRIMSTONE, 


- In the conclusion, the archbishop suspended them all; 
upon which, Sir Thomas Scot and twenty-six respectable 
gentlemen in Kent, feeling the great loss of so many 
excellent ministers being silenced, all waited upon his lo 
ship. From the conversation which they had with the 
archbishop, now before me, it is manifest how exceedingly 
solicitous they were to procure their restoration. But 
race being immoveable, their generous endeavours proved 
ineffectual.t Mr. Fenner continued under suspension many 


$ 


* MS. Register, p. $26. 
+ MS. Chronology, vol. i. p. 38%. (3 | 1) (8 | 3) 


\ 


$04 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


ears, even to the time of his death; and most probably 

is brethren shared no better fate.» 

Upon their suspension, being slandcrously aspersed from 
the press, by one who subscribed himself R.S., they were 
vindicated against the foul reproaches of this scurrilous 
writer, This vindication is at considerable lenge | 
probably it was never printed.+ Mr. Fenner, that i 
silence calumny, gave a written testimony, et he was 
suspended merely for refusing subscription t& W hitgift's 
articles. This testimony, dated June 12, 1585, was as 
follows :—‘‘ I, Dudley Fenner, was suspended from the 
“ execution of my ministry, for this cause only, that 
¢¢ refused to subscribe to the two last articles generally pro, 


‘ pounded to the ministers at the time of subscription. 


«‘ this my suspension was pronounced by the archbi 


“« himself. Indeed, I appeared before him and the 


“‘of her majesty’s commissioners, to answer unto other 
«< articles, but this was after my suspension; neither did J 
‘‘ receive any censure or other pain in that behalf, after m 

* answer to the said articles. This, being lawfully called 


‘‘ thereto, I am ready to confirm by oath. | 


U Mr. F “ DupLEY Ae nach bishop 
pon Mr. Fenner’s appearance before the archbish 
and other commissioners, i the time specified in the above 
testimony, he received much unkind usage. Though he 
was a man of distinguished learning and piety, the proud 
archbishop called him a boy, a krave, a slanderer, & 
libeller, and other foul names, equally contrary to trath, and 
reproachful to his archiepiscopal character. Dr. Grey 
stigmatizes him “on account of his vile republican princt- 
ples, with holding that it was lawful to take away the life of 
a king ;” for which, if the good man had been punished more 
severely, than by seven years’ suspension, the doctor 
could not but think he would have deserved it.g Such were 
the illiberal notions of these bigotted churchmen! 
Some time after Whitgift suspended Mr. Fenner, he was 
committed to prison for nonconformity. And having suf 
fered twelve months’ imprisonment, upon a general, sub- 
scription to the articles, as far as the law required, with 9 
romise to use the Book of Common Prayer, and no other, 
is said to have been released. He joined his brethren in 


* MS. Register, p. 585. + Ibid. p. 272—290. Ibid. p. 588. 
§ MS. Remarks, p. 403. P ' | 
i Grey’s Review of Neal, p. 72. 


D. FENNER. 595 


subscribing the “ Book of Discipline.”* Afterwards, on 
‘account of the severities of the times, there being no 
prospect of enjoying his libérty in the ministry, or some 
‘further troubles awaiting him, he was obliged to flee from 
‘the storm, when he went to Middleburgh, where. he died 
‘towards the close of the year 1589.+ His widow became 
the famous Dr. Whitaker's second wife. . —_. 7 
” Mr. Fenner, who is styled “ an eminent light, yea, a 
bright-burning candle in his time,”t was a man of distin- 
guished learning and abilities, and the author of many 
excellent works, some of which were upon the contro- 
versies of the times. Among these, was ‘‘ A Defence of the 
godly Ministers against Dr. Bridges’ Slanders, with. a true 
Report of the ill Dealings of the Bishops against them.” 
‘This work was finished a month only before the author’s 
death. Dr. Bridges having asserted, that the puritans 
were not grievously afflicted, unless it was produced by 
their own deserts, Mr. Fenner made the following reply :— 
$¢ Ts it no grievous affliction, by suspension to be hung up 
_ between hope and despair for a year or two, and in. the 
mean time, to see the wages of our labours eaten up by 
Joiterers? Nay, our righteous souls are.vexed with seeing 
and hearing the ignorance, the profane speeches, and evil 
examples, of those thrust upon our charges; while we 
ourselves are defamed, reproached, scoffed at, and called 
seditious, and rebellious; cited, accused, and indicted, 
and yet no redress to be found. All: this we have 
patiently borne, though we come daily to the congregations 
to prayers, to baptisms, and to the sacrament, and by our 
‘examples and admonitions have kept many from those 
‘excesses whereunto their rashness of zeal would have car- 
Yied them. And though to such as you, who swarm with 
deaneries, double benefices, pensions, advowsons, reversions, &C. 
these molestations may seem light; yet, surely, upon every 
irreligious man’s complaint, to be sent for by pursuivants, 
to pry two-pence for every mile, to find messengers, to 
defray our own charges, and all this by such as can hardly 
provide for themselves and their families, it is not onl 
Brievour, but heart-burning. 
“ 6 We will not justify ourselves in all things,” says he, 
“‘ bnt acknowledge, that when coming by dozens and scores 


. * Neal’s Hist. of Puritans, vol. i. p. 406, 428. 
+ Wood’s Athense Oxon. vol. i. p. 172. 
q Paget’s Church Government, p. 86. 
§ MS. Register, p. 587. 


386 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


before the bishop, after half a day’s disorderly reasoning, 
some not being heard to the full, some railed on and misr 
called, none with lenity satisfied, but all suspended from 
our office, becanse we refused to subscribe to his two 
last articles, there might afterwards pass from us some 
unjustifiable expressions. This we are willing to impute 
to ourselves.”* The following is a list of Mr. Fenner’s othes 
learned productions. . 


Tlis Wonks.—!. An Answer to the Confutation of John Nichols, 
158i.—2. A Counter-Poyson, modestlie written for the Time, to make 
Answere to the Objections and Reproaches, wherewith the Answerer 
to the Abstract, would disgrace the Holy Discipline of Christ.—3. A 
Defence of the Reasons of the Counter-Poyson, for maintainance of the 
Eldershippe, against an Answere made to them by Doctor Copequot, 
in a publike Sermon at Paules Crosse, upon Psalm Ixxxiv., set 
—4. A Commentry on Canticles.—6. e Order of How 
Government.—6. An Interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer.—7?7. An 
Interpretation of the Epistle to Philemon.—8. A short Table of 
Religion out of the first Table of the Law.—9. A Treatise of the 
Sacrament—10. A profitable Treatise of Lawful and Unlawful 
Recreations.—11. The Art of Logic and Rhetoric plainly set forth.— 
32. Sacred Theology, in Ten Books.{—13. The Consideration of the 
Admonition of Mr. Vaughan. A MS. copy of this work is pow 
before me, but most probably was never published. . 


Curusert Bainsrice was fellow of Christ’s college 
Cambridge, and a popular preacher in the university, 
was brought into trouble for nonconformity. aving 
preached at St. Mary’s church, January 5, i589, he was 
summoned before the vice-chancellor, Dr. Nevil, and 
heads of colleges, who, for the dangerous doctrines said to 
be contained in his sermon, immediately sent him to prison. 
This affair, with a similar one of Mr. Francis Johnson’s,¢ 
excited the attention of the university for a twelvemonth. 

+ Mr. Bainbrigg’s text on this occasion was Luke xii. 
49.,“ Tam come to send fire upon earth,” &c. Certaig 
articles were collected from the sermon, and he was re- 
quired to declare upon his oath, what he had delivered 
Felative to those articles.; Both he and Mr. Johnson 
appeared before their learned inquisitors, January 23d ; and 


* Parte of a Register, p. 392, 393. 

y The two last articles are published in * A Parte of a Register.”’-—See 
p- 412—527. 

¢ The MS. of this learned work, and apparently in Mr. Fenner’s ows 
hand, is still preserved in Dr. Williasgs’s library, Redcrose-stseet, Londes. 

§ See Art. F, Johnson. a 

Ul Strype’s Whitgift, p. 296. 


BAINBRIGG, - © So7 


fefusing to answer upon their oath, they were committed to 
prison. The reason of their refusal being demanded, they 
made this three-fold protestation:—1. “ That we do from 
éur hearts, reverence your authority set over us by God.— 
2. That we refuse not an oath, as if it was unlawful.on all | 
occasions.—3. That we are neither afraid, nor unwilling 
to acknowledge and defend that which we have. openly 
fang any person shall impugn it, or charge it to be 


- March 13th, they underwent another examination, when 
they protested, ‘‘ That if they had committed any crime, 
their only objection against taking the oath, was, that by so 
doing, they might be constrained to bring matter of accusa- 
Gon against themselves, which was contrary: both to the 
word of God, and the laws of the land.” And appearing | 
egain April 18th, they protested, ‘‘ That if the oath then - 
pftered to them, could be shewn to be warranted by the word 

feds and the laws of the land, they were ready to take 


' Their case exciting so much attention, was, at length, 
sent up to Lord Burleigh, chancellor of the’ university. 
Upon this, they further protested, ‘‘ That if they might 
suffered to appear before his lordship, they would clear 
themselves of the charges brought against them, or willingly 
éuffer any condign punishment.—<And that if their accusers 
would charge them with those things with which his lordship 
bad been made acquainted, they would themselves, or by 
witness, disprove the charges, or suffer any kind of punish- 
ment they deserved : adding, that they were ready to answer, 
according to their honourable chancellor’s letter, which 
Fequired simply their answer, without any oath.” They 
rtlier observe, that they preached their sermons at the 
usual time and place, as they were required; and in the 
hearing of many hundreds of persons, both of the town 
and university, who were sufficiently able to satisfy their 
! - But for them, merely by their office, to search 
what they delivered, by extorting it from them upon their 
oath; in this case, if, they were guilty, they would be 
obliged to accuse themselves. This they looked upon as 
contrary to the word of-God, and the established laws of 
the realm.* ee 
. The vice-chancellor and heads sent the followi 
information to Burleigh the chancellor, containing, it 1s 


* Strype’s Annals, vol. iii. p. 589-591. 


398 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


said, the chief points relative to the imprisonment of the, 
two divines :—““ That the court would have been Paar 
indeed, in these proceedi i good means not 
been first used.—That their proceeding is according to the. 
canon law and the law of the realm.—That it is according. 
to the former precedents of the university —That the 
university, without this course, is hardly to be governed.—. 
That by the relation of the physicians, as well as Mr. 
' Bainbrigg himself, he was not sick.—That they have had 
liberty to attend their recreations in the fields, and their 
- public exercises in the town.” 
To each of these points the two prisoners gave the 
following answers :—T he vice-chancellor confeseeth the offer 
of the oath to have been hard, but that all gentle means were 
first used. Let the means, say they, be examined.. They. 
were convened upon the delivery of their sermons, when, 
articles were brought against them. They offered to answer. 
these articles, but were refused; and they were required to 
swear to the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the 
truth, They humbly desired that they might not be 
pressed to swear, because it was impossible for them ta 
deliver every thing uttered in their sermons of an hour and 
half long. It is very hard to try the conscience of @ 
man, to take the holy name of God in witness of that which, 
he knoweth he cannot perform; and it is contrary to the 
law of God to offer in his name,.to do that which is — 


impossible. 
. Their reasons not being admitted, the ministers prayed 
the vice-chancellor, that they might be informed by the 
law of God and the realm, that they might and ought . 
thus to swear, protesting thcir willingness to yield thereta; 
but, if this could not be done, they desired that they. might 
We spared. They were then committed to prison ; and, 
the time these answers were given, they had been detained 
upwards of twenty weeks, without being admitted on bail. 
ence it may appear, say they, that no very gentle means 
have been used. On the contrary; that all gentle means 
have been refused, is, indeed, too apparent. For about six, 
‘weeks after their commitment, Sir Henry Knevett and Sis 
William Bowes, knights, offered bgil to the vice-chancellor 
and Dr. Perne, which was rejected. Sir William Bowes 
afterwards renewed his application and his offer, but with . 
no better success, He prayed them to be well informed of 
the issue, about which, he conceived, they were fren 
mistaken. He recommended them to take down the. fact 


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to have been detained in prison, 
as might be proved by the laws of the land, 
equity of the statute made 25 Henry VIII. 


their proceedings. For, while they founded 


He 
ul 
i 
ne 
& 


g 


mero offcio, being jurisdiction ecclesiastical; nor im- 
ing from civil power; two different 

authorities com ed in the present action. dine te. 
hough the above proceedings were said to be according to. 
the ts of the university, the vice-chancellor refused 
» or suffer to be shewn, the register of any such 
Neither could it be found that any such prece- 
dent had ever occurred, excepting one solitary instance 
when Dr. Bying was vice-chancellor. At the same time, 
Dr. Goad, provost of King’s college ; Dr. Whitaker, master. 
of St. John’s college; and Mr. Chadderton, master of 
‘Emanuel college, all protested that they would haye no hand, 
in these proceedings. Also among the fifteen heads of 
octors, only two, 


s 


Notyi 
terfeiting sickness, the physician whom he employed, 
declared the- cont And the 
" prisons, as was. represented to the chancellor,-only took 
the liberty once to.go to their college on a special occasjan, 


400 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


when their keeper was checked by the vice-chanceHor. 
And having made earnest suit for liberty to attend public 
service at St. Mary’s church, with their keeper, on a 
Lord’s day, their request was rejected by the vice-chan- 
cellor, saying, ‘ ‘You must pardon me, I neither can 
nor will.’’« 

Mr. Bainbrigg and Mr. Johnson having suffered 
numerous and grievous hardships, laid their distresses 
before Burleigh the chancellor, in the following letter :+ 

<¢ Right honourable and very good lord. 

“May it please your good lordship once in to 
¢¢ admit the humble suit of us poor prisoners, now having, 
“as your lordship understandeth, of long time so con- 
“tinued in the university of Cambridge, without bail 
“or mainprize. And, first, may it please your honour 
“ to understand, that we are not committed for any thing 
“uttered by us in our sermons, but only because we 
“did not yield to take a corporal oath, to deliver the 
“truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, of 
“ what we spake in our public sermons, and thereby to 
“accuse ourselves, if in any thing we had offended. 
« Without oath we have already openly in the consistory 
“(according to your honour’s first letters) answered to 
«¢ whatsoever we were charged with; notwit i 
«© which, we still continue imprisoned, only because we 
“ refuse to take their unlawful oath. We have great cause 
‘¢ to believe, that your honour hath been already a very 
“ good lord unto us, in keeping from us that extremity 
<¢ which we greatly feared ; for which we shall continuall 
«“ pray the Tord to reward sevenfold in your lordship's 
‘‘ bosom. Yet because your lordship’s first letters 
“(which upon information against us) were imparted to. 
“the rest of the heads of houses, and read also unto us; . 
“ but the two late letters sent from your honour, private 
“ only to Mr. Vice-chancellor, were not communicated in 
“the whole to the heads present in the university. We 
“see no hope of release, except we yield to thaf hari. 
“condition, which we have before set down ‘to : ; 
‘‘ lordship, but are likely to be tired with iniprison 
* although in so good a cause, God witnessing ws, 'W 


“ never to ‘give over. 


: © Baker’s MS, Collec. vol: Iv. p.@d-ie” 


BAINBRIGG. 401 


*¢ ment, only for refusing to take the oath: whereby we 
“¢ are greatly restrained of that liberty which other scholars 
“¢ do enjoy; and our bodily health is so endangered ag one 
‘¢ of us hath been constrained very inconveniently in the 
“¢ place to take physic. Our duties, also, to our pupils, 
* whom their parents have committed unto us, are very 
© much hindered; besides our common duties as fellows 
“of our college and scholars of the university, all the 
<6 benefits whereof we want, together with the hearing of 
the word of God preached, and: participation of the 
« sacrament administered ; our private studies in the time 
“ of our pre ion for the ministry of the gospel, long 
“ interrup and much disappointed; our good name 
“ among our friends abroad and strangers every where, . 
“that hear of our imprisonment, but not of the ca 

“ ly impaired ; and our exhibition, which should have 
“ employed to the maintenance of our studies, 
“ exceedingly wasted in the charge of the prison. In all. 
“¢ which considerations we humbly beseech your good lord, 
“that by. your lordship’s good fayour, we may obtain — 
“at length, some release of that long imprisonment, 
“ which we doubt not your lordship judgeth sufficiently to 
“ have met with our offence. - 

“ We refuse not to answer any matters wherewith we 
“can be charged, to put in bond or sufficient surety to 
“ appear, either before your lordship, or before our gover- 
“€ nors here, when we shall be called. Besides, our tellow- 
“ ships, the only stay of living that we have, will sufficiently 
S¢ bind us hereunto. This is the whole sum of our suit, 
© which we refer wholly to your honour’s wisdom and 
“equity. The Lord Almighty bless your honour with 
“ long life, increase of honour in this life, and everlasting 
* life in the world to come, amen. From our prison in 
® Camb. May 22, 1589. . 

a Your honour’s most humble supplicants, 
: _ Cuts. Barnsaice, Fran. JoHNson.” . 
iEhq vice-chancellor and heads of colleges laid the case 
befpre the high commission. This was going the sure way 
towork.. The high commissioners denominated the sermons 
. €66he two. prisoners, factious, slanderoys and offensive, and 
suthorized the vice-chancellor and his colleagues to éxamine 


eek ?@geinet.the preacher, according to their 
wi ‘nh: Diet dengesons doctrines said to have been 


ug... Wberened soph hes Beats. -: 


a bay ssl 


£03 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


contained in Mr. Bainbrige’s sermon, were collectsd inte 
certain articles; to each of which he delivered his answet 
Ee ae pirat py moe 
; . ibat some who t, pay money lor. 
it themselves ; and pay their money beforeland. a 
. Ans. I said, that the excellency of a public function m 
the church or commonwealth, consisted in labour and 
diligence for the good of the public, rather tha in an' 
pomp or outward shew. Jesus Greist came into the 
not to be ministered urtto, but to minister unto others. 
if the example of Christ were- followed, men would, with 
‘Moses and Jeremiah, labour for the welfare of their. fellow 
creatures, when they are called so to do, rather than seek 
preferment with such anxiety, even buying it with money 
when it cannot be obtained on more easy terms. © - . 
_ 2. That there are persons who have a bar standing 
between them and the fire ; that if need be, they may strike 
the fire out of the hands of these who bring it; and that this 
bar is your statutes and positive laws. yO 
Ans. That principal word in the article, namely, yew, 
J never used at all. I only said, positive laws statutes 
had been abused by men in all ages as a bar, either to keep 
the fire of the word of God from then, or to strike it ont of 
the hands of those who bring it. I observed, that is ‘net a 
man of wisdom, fearing » who does not know and 
acknowledge, that there must be good order, both in church 
and commonwealth, and will reverence it with all his 
heart, as one of the excellent appointments of God. .He 
will acknowledge the excellency and necessity of wholesome 
laws, by which the members of society are united, 
, and beautified. Yet I said the wise and 
‘learned knew and would acknowledge, that though: thes 
laws were useful and necessary, they were imperfect rule 
of man’s obedience, and, therefore, no sufficient bar.to keep 
off the word of God, which requires more obedience than 
any human laws or statutes whatsoever. The laws of men, 
‘being imperfect, should always give place to the perfect 
‘laws of God. | BO 
I also observed, that when men are reproved for theif 
sins, they should not regard so much how they may acquit 
themselves before men, and by human laws, though-in. some 
‘cases even this is necessary, as to try all things m the court 
of conscience, ‘and by the word of God: much dess-sbould 
they strike the fire of the word out of the hands of those 
who bring it, and require more-obedience of man than the 


BAINBRIGG. _ 408 


laws demand. Offences, indeed, -against positive laws. 
raust needs be punished, lest others, by too much lenity, be 
encouraged to do evil; yet with great prudence, especially 
in ‘the case ofa minister, lest the innocent be oppressed and 
injured. There must be great care, that the church be not 
deprived of the word, which is so excellent a treasure, and 
which the Lord hath committed to his ministers. . 
-; 8. That there is extremity used, especially in the execu- 
tion of laws. . ‘ 
- Ans: I did not say there was extremity in the execution 
of ‘laws. It seems that they who thus accuse me, . wholly 
misunderstood my meaning when I recommended mutual 
forbearance; but especially in inferiors towards their 
superiors. : 
4. The fire of the. word is put out, by stopping the 
mouths of those who bring it. a 

Ans. I never used the words, putting out the fire, nor 


sopping their mouths. 
. If you mind, indeed, to awake: As: if he meant to 
reflect u or the sleepiness of the doctors’ sermons usually 

ere. : 
* Ans. I said thus, directing myself to the doctors, I 
you desire, indeed, that they (meaning the townsmen) 
should awake out of sleep; if you would have them forsake 
the works of darkness, and have Jesus Christ heard among 
them, provide that Jesus Christ may be more frequently 
_ preached among them. | 

6. That, eloquence is base. ; beca : 
; - I did not speak against eloquence ; use, 
I said, of all gifts, there were noes make excellent in itself, 
hor -more profitable to society. But I spoke against the 
ridiculous eloquence of some in our days, which consisteth 
Principally in an outward shew, and is disgraceful to the 
may the word of God. 7 : 

_T. That ceremonies are no sooner spoken of, than they 
are snatched at. 

Ans. I said, I could not help wondering that those men, 
who, hearing the ceremonies spoken of without distinction, 
would s at the word of God, in order to make a 
minister a transgressor. Whereas the Lord himself hath 
spoken against idle and unprofitable ceremonies, both in 

Old and the New Testament.+ | 
_ , from the above statement, the reader will be able to 


© Strype’s Annals, vol. iii, Appen. p. 966, 267. _ 


404 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


judge with what d of justice Mr. Bainbrigg’s opinions 
were denominated factious, slanderous, ive and 
dangerous. To put an end to these oppressive measures; 
the chancellor interposed, and wrote to the vice-chancellor 
and heads, requiring that tht two fellows might not be dealt 
with so rigorously.* A further account of Mr. Johnson is 
iven under that article, to which the reader is referred. 
ut- Mr. Bainbrigg was still in the hands of his enemies; 
and they were determined to make him feel their smarting 
rod. The cruel ecclesiastics, contrary to Burleigh’s express 
order, wou.d not release him, till they had thoroughly 
humbled him. Therefore, they required him to the 
following recantation, publicly,- before the congregation 
where he had delivered hissermon: _ mS 
‘© Whereas in a sermon made by me in this‘place, Jan. 
<<‘ 5th last I was taken to charge the min of thé 
“church of England, that they were unlike Moses and 
“ Jeremiah, that refused a charge being called; for that 
“ they do seek for livings, and buy them with their money, 
“ when they do fall. I 50 acknowledge that hdwaotver my 
“ words were taken, I think it lawful in a good conscience, 
“ for the good of the church, to desire livings. Neither did 
‘CT say, as some did take me, that our statutes of the 
“¢ university, and positive laws of the realm, are as'& bar to 
“strike the fire of the ‘l out of the hands of the 
« preachers, who be the Lor ’s messengers; bat I think 
“reverently of good and wholesome laws, such as are 
‘established by the queen’s authority, as well in: the 
' “university, as in the rest of her dominions. ; 
«© And touching preachers, if any of them have by lawful 
“ authority been put to silence, I think as charity requireth, 
“ that the magistrates who have dealt therein, have been 
“ moved thereto by conscience, for the discharge of their 
“ honest duty in that behalf. se 
- & T acknowledge, also, a godly use of eloquence in this 
« place, and that the ceremonies of our church established 
“by authority, being in themselves neither impious nor 
“ unprofitable, are not here to be reproved by any private 
« man’s conceit, but redress to be sought where it may be 
“ had, if it be necessary in regard of any ceremony, whereby 
“ offence may be taken.”’+ ‘ 
The above retraction, it is said, was subscribed by Mr. 
Bainbrigg’s own hand, and he was enjoined to declare the 


* Strype’s Annals, vol. iii. Appen. p. 592. 
+ Baker's MS. Collec. vol. vi. p. 185, 196. 


LITTLETON. 5 


same in the at of St. Mary’s church; bet whether he 
“this, robebly velesed from pe and 

is, he was most ly : wis 
restored to his fellowship in the » Which he appears 
4o have enjoyed in the year 1590.+ year following he 
was chosen one of the proctoss of the aniveraty.t 


. Epuuxp Litt.eron was a zealous puriian, who touk aa 
active part in promoting the associations. Though it docs 
not appear at what place he exercised his public ministry, 
he was a man of considerable eminence, and always desi 
to obtain a more pure reformation of the church. He 
united with his brethren in perfecting the “ Book of 
Discipline ;” and when it was finished, he joined with them 
in subscribing it. On account of his zeal and activity to 
potet the desired ecclesiastical discipline, he was appre- 

with many of his brethren, in the year 1590, and 

caaried before the high commission. He and some others 

were of opinion, that it was their duty to take an oath in 

all cases, when required by their superiors. He, therefore, 

took the oath ex officio, and discovered many ings 

intive to the associations ; for which he was most probably 
eased..§ 

When he was apprehended, his rs were seized, and 
carried away, and produced as evidence against him and his 
brethren. Among these was the following declaration, 
subscribed by the persons whose names are subjoined. 

“© The brethren assembled_together in the name of God, 
having heard and examined by the word of God, and 

ing to their best abilities and judgment, a draught of 
discipline essential and necessary for all times, have thought 
- good to testify concerning it as follows :—-We acknowl ge 
and confess the same to be agreeable to God’s most holy 
word, so far as we are able to judge or discern of it, 
excepting some few points, which we have sent to our 
Feperend brethren of this assembly, for their further reso- 

ution. 

. 6° We affirm it to be the same which we desire to bé 
established in this church, by daily prayer to God, which 
we promise (as God shall offer opportunity, and give us to 
discern it so expedient) by humble suit ynto her majesty, 
her honourable council and the parliament, and by all 


* Strype’s Annals, vol. iii. p. 502. + Faller’s Hist. ef Cam. p. 149, 
$ Neal’s Puritans, vol. i. p. 423. § Strype’s Whitgift, p. 331—Ss3, 


406 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


other lawful and convenient means, to farther and advanse, 
so far as-the laws and peace of the present estate of ous 
church wiil suffer it, and not enforce the contrary. e 
promise to guide ourselves and to be guided by it, and 
according (o it. | 

“ For a more: special declaration of some points more 
important and necessary, we promise uniformly to follow 
such order, when we preach the word of God, as in the 
book is by us sct down, in the chapters of the office ‘of 
ministers of the word, of preaching, of sermons, of sactp- 
ments, of baptisms, and of the Lord’s supper. “4 

“ Further, also, we follow the order set down in 
chapters of -the meeti as far as it concernéth the 
ministers of the word. For which purpose, we promise to 
meet together every six weeks in classical conferences, 
with such of the brethren here assembled, as for their 
neighbourhood may fit us best, and such others as by their 
advice, we shall] desire to be joined with us. , 

“ The like we promise for provincial meetings every 
half year from our conferences to send unto them, being 
divided according to the order following. Also, that we 
will attend the general assembly ‘every year, and at all 
parliaments, and as often as by order it shall be thought 
good to be assembled. 


“ Joon OXENBRIDGE, Taomas CantwriGat, 
Hompurey Fenn, Martuew Hume, 
EpwarpGevvisrann, $AntHony Nutrer, 
Heacuves CLeveey, Danizx, Wiaat, 

‘ Leonarp Fetnerston, Epwarp Lorp, 
JoHN AsHBYE, ' Epmuunp Littieton.” 


_ From the above curious declaration, we have a more 
clear an! correct insight into the proceedings of the 
puritanical associations, and into the nature and desig 
of their intendcd ecclesiastical discipline, than from all 
raillery and misrepresentation of Dr. Bancroft and ‘other 
bigotted historians. The private assemblies of the puritans 
are stigmatized by these writers, as having been dangerous, 
seditious, and amounting almost-to treason; hut the abave 
peper will sufficiently refute and expose the shameful 
slander. 


® Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. xv. p. 7. 


- LORD=KING. 0 


wom Lorp was some years vicar of Woolston jn 
Warwickshire, but. greatl He at Gac ‘for ay and Antweryy 


Discipline,” and atited with his brethren in thei private 
es; for which, in he year iow, he was appre- 
hended, and convened before the high commission and 


ta the country might nt be pestered wit bogs 
ve some account of various private meetings andl con. 
preaching mariters now, net nome sap?resed, the painful 


- ANDREW Kinc was a divine of considerable emauaeace, 
but, in 1573, was a and cast into 
nonconformity. 


lnquisitors, 
bck tori, and trend thts if he would 
What other sufferings he gaderwent at this 
time, we have not been able to learn. However, in the 
year 1590, he was again apprehended, together with Mr. 


Clark’s Lives annexed te Martyr. p.20. + See Art. Carte 
MS. Celiec. vel. xv, p. 14. $ cu ne 


ver 


a” 


406 LIVES OF. THE PURITANS. 


most tyrannical and cruel usage» On one of tliese 
occasions, the following interrogatories were proposed to 
him :—‘“ Whether have you refused to use, or have you 
used in your sermons, the queen’s majesty’s whole title b 

law established under her, namely, defender of the fai 

in all causes, and over all persons, as well ecclesiastical as 
civil, in these her realms and dominions, and supreme 
governor next and immediately under God? For what 
cause have you so refused, or not used the said style? 
and were you admonished to use it ?—Whether did you 
know or had heard before the 19th day of November, 1588, 
the said day was by and under her majesty’s authority 
appointed to be sulemnized and celebrated with thanksgiving 
unto God, for our happy deliverance from the intended inva- 


‘gion of the Spaniards? And did you that day, nevertheless, 


absent yourself from the parish church, and neither said 
divine service, preached, nor procured any other, then and 
theretodoit? What was the cause, and what was-your 

true and only purpose and intent in so doing?”+ Th 

Mr. King refused the oath ex officio, these inquiries were 
evidently designed to force him to accuse himself, and then to 
condemn him upon his own confession: but it does not appear 
what answers he gave, or whether he absolutely refused. . 


MALANCTHON JEWEL was a zealous minister of Christ, 
but met with much cruel usage for his nonconformity. He - 
was tried at the public assize at Exeter, and condemned 
upon the statute for confirming the Book of Common 
Prayer, to suffer five months’ imprisonment. He met with 
this unjust and inhuman treatment, though he had pre- 
viously applied to the bishop, for the removal of his 
doubts and scruples, but could not obtain the favour.t In 
the- year 1590, Ire was again apprehended, and cast inte 
prison ; he was frequently taken before the high commis- 


_~ sion and the star-chamber, and remained under confinement 


about two years.§ : 
Though he refused the oath ex officio, the following in- 
quiries were proposed to him, and he was required to give 


_ his answer :—‘ Whether have you devised, penned 


re=- 
ceived, or delivered any English books or pamphlets, 
being contrary to the laws or statutes of this realm, since 
her majesty’s proclamation in that behalf? And have you 


* See Art. Cartwright. ' + Baker's MS. Collec. vel. xv. p. 78. 
t MS. Register, p. 585. § See Art. Cartwright. 


JEWEL—SNAPE. = —* 409 


affirmed of them, or‘some-of such books, at Houlsworthy in 
the county of Devon, or elsewhere, (in commendation of 
them) that théy contained no untruths; nor used words to 
the like effect? How many of every sort of such books 
have you had, of whom, and how have you bestowed them ? 
—Whether in your speeches, sermons, or seme of them, 
have you thought or affirmed, that it is of necessity, and in 
all places, to have churches governed by elderships of 
pastors, doctors, elders, or such like? Or, that the offices 
of archbishops and bishops, as they are practised in this 
realm, are the offices of antichrist; and that the archbishop 
and lord bishops, as you term them in contempt, were 
_ beasts, members of antichrist, and chimney sweepers; and 
that they persecute godly ministers; and by persecuting 
them, did purify them, and pollute themselves ?— Whether 
have you taught openly, that no jailer ought to receive 
any man (though he be committed by any authority.) into 
their prisons; except they first know the cause, that such 
were certainly offenders? And that her majesty’s judges of 
assize, who affirmed that you have submitted yourself and 
promised conformity, did belie you, with other terms of 
reproach? And affirmed in pulpits, that justices were 
now become tyrants? or have you used any words to the 
like effect of these, or any of them? when, and where ?— 
Whether did you baptize the child of one Asher, a prer 
tended minister, who then made a public profession of his 
faith; and amongst other things, said ‘ he believed Christ 
had appointed his churches to be governed by pastors, 
doctors, elders, and deacons,’ and in that faith desired 
baptism for his daughter, whom he named, The Lord is 
Near ; and did you thereupon, and in that faith and profes- 
sion baptize the child ?”*—How tyrannical and ridiculous 
were these proceedings! What answers Mr. Jewel gave, 
or whether he absolutely refused to answer, we cannot 
rn. 


Epwarp Snape was educated most probably in the 
university of Cambridge; afterwards he became minister at 
St. Peter’s church, Northampton. He was a decided non- 
conformist, a laborious preacher, and.a zealous advocate for 
& more pure reformation of the church. It is observed, 


‘wp 


og: wa @ Bakes’e MS. Collec. vol. xv, p. TT. 


410 LIVES OF THE ‘PURITANS. 


that when the parishioners of St.. Peter’s in Northampton 
understood that he did not account himeelf a full minister, 
till he should be chosen by some particular congregatiog, 
they inamediately chose him to be their minister. = - 
the year 1576, Mr. Snape and Mr. Thomas Cart. 
wright were invited to the islands of Jersey and Guernsey, 
to assist the ministers of those places, in framing 
necessary discipline for their churches. Dr. Heylin, whg 
could neyer speak well of such men, charges these two 
divines with imposing their discipline upon the people .of 
those islands; than which he could not have asserted a more 
palpable falsehood.t They were averse to every species of 
ecclesiastical imposition, and were called to those places 
only to give their “instructions and advice ; and this peevish, 
calumniating writer, must surely have known this. The 
two divines were men of distinguished learning and abili- 
ties. They laboured to have the discipline of the church 
wholly regulated by the New Testament; and, thereforg, 
. they were admirably qualified for the important reece 
After the comfortable settlement of those churches, Mr. 
Snape returned to England, and preached the gospel for some 
lime in the diocese of” Exeter ; where, it is said, he sowed the 
seeds of nonconformity ; but it is added, that the vigilant apd 
stout prelate, Dr. Cotton, plucked them up before they came 
to perfection.t This, however, is a very defective accaunt 
of his labours in those parts. For it is obseryed, that Mr, 
Snape, Mr. Eusebius Paget, and Mr. John Holmes, three 
excellent nonconformists in the diocese of Exeter, were 
exceedingly zealous and laborious to promote true religion ; 
and, by their frequent and useful preaching, they were 
made a blessing to very many both of the clergy and 
common people.; Mr. Snape having laboured in those 
parts for some time, returned to his ministerial exercise at 
orthampton, where he most probably continued. seyera] 
years.| ; 
About the year 1586, he united with his brethren in sub- 
scribing the “ Book of Discipline ;" and in 1590, he was 
brought into trauble on account of the associations held in 
Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, and other counties. He 
Was a zealous and an active member of these assemblies ; for 


* Bancroft’s Dangerous Positions, p. 114. SO 
+ Heyltin’s Hist. of Pres. p. 208. ff Fuller’s Worthies, part ii. p. (6: 
§ MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 679. (3.) 
| Heylin’s Hist. ef Pres. p- 376, 200. q Neal's Paritans, vol. i. p- 423, 


SNAPE. | 4ii 


which he was convened before the high commission, when 
numerous C were exhibited st him :* as, ‘“* That 
he had certain books in his possession, entitled ‘ A Defence 
of the Ecclesiastical Discipline.’—'That he refused to. baptize 
a child, unless it was called by some scripture name.t— 

in his public ministry, he did not read the confession, abso- 
lutions, psalms, lessons, litany, and some other parts of the 
Book of Common Prayer.—That he renounced his calling 
to. the: ministry by the bishop’s ordination.—And that be 
urged. others. to renounce their calling in like manner.”— 
Such were the crimes with which our divine was charged! 

- Mr. Snape, and niany of his brethren,. for crimes like 
these, were summoned before the high commission at Lam- 
beth, and required to take the oath ez officio, to answer all 
interrogatories which might be pr to them. '' This 
they ultenly refused, unless they might first see them. And, 
says Dr. evlin, when the interrogatories were even shewed 
them, Mr. Snape, apprehensive of danger to himself and 
his brethren, still refused to take the éath.. An unpar- 
donable crime was this, in the opinion of this author! It 
should be recollected, that Mr. Snape and his persecuted 
brethren did not positively en to answer, even upon 
the sight of the interrogatories; they only refused to take 
the oath, and'to give their answer, till they had seen those 
interrogatories; and, after they had seen them, they 
- should be better able to judge whether it was lawful or 
unlawful. : ts 

Mr. Snape’s letters having been intercepted, were produced 

against him; and when he refused to accuse himself and his 
brethren, he was immediately sent to prison. Our author 
~ adds, ‘‘ This struck great terror into all the brethren, who 
now began to apprehend the dangers into which they were 
fallen by their former insolences.”} A pitifal triumph, 
"indeed !—Another writer observes, that when Mr. Sn; 
was examined before the high commission at Lambeth, in 


* Strype’s Whitgift, p. $292—381. _ 
+ The following carious tale is told of Mr. Snape :—*‘ There goes a 
' ptory,” says Dr. Heylin, ‘* that one Hodgkingson of Northampton, having 
a child to be baptized, repaired to Snape, to do it for him; and: he 
consented to the motion, bat with. promise that he should give it some 
name allowed in scripture, The holy action being so far forwards, that 
they were come to the naming of the infant, they named it Richard, being 
the name of its grandfather. Upon this a stop was made, and he would 
not be persuaded to baptize the child, unless its name were altered; and-the 
father refusing to do this, the child was egrried home unchristened,””— 

'e Hist. of Pres. p. 203. ; 
Ibid, p. 302, 303. Co 


413 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. | 


April, 1590, thirty-siz articles -were delivered to him in 
writing, which, as an inducement to take the oath, he was . 
allowed to read. These articles related to the persons, 
places, and times of their associations, and the subjects 
discussed on those occasions. Upon a second examination, 
and still refusing the oath, he was committed close 


Though we are unable to learn whether he continued. to 
Fefusee the oath, he certainly gave his answer to at least part 
of the in atories. He underwent many severe ex- 
aminations before the high commission, and the. star- 
chamber; and on one these occasions, he gave the 
following answers, containing, it is said, ‘‘ a true account of 
that which Edward Snape confesseth, he wrote and gaye 


. 1. % Touching the substance of my calling to the ministry, 
J affirm, that I had it of the church of God, being ap- 
proved by the godly and learned neighbouring ministers, 
and chosen to the function by the peo le of: my charge. 
Touching that allowance which I had of the bishop, I take 
it to be a thing merely civil; belonging to a civil istrate, 
which authority he hath by act of parliament; and which, 
therefore, I might lawfully receive at his hands, for the 
peaceable exccution of my ministry. . 

2. ** Touching the use of the Book of Common Prayer, 
I will use it only in those things which are justifiable by 
the word of God. And if it can be proved unto me, by 
sound reasons out of that word, that it is utterly unlawful 
to use any part of it, I will cease to use it at all. : 

3. “ ‘Touching the calling of elders, I do promise to use 
all holy and lawiul means, for the procuring of it. 

4. * Touching the surceasing of my ministry, I do 
also promise, that though I shall be inhibited. by the bishop, 
yet, if the greater part of the communicants of my charge, 
shall require the continuance of my ministry; and shall 
also bind themselves to minister competently to my neces 
sities ; and shall have the consent of the godly neighbour 
ing ministers, bonds or liberty, I will not surcease. 

5. “ Touching obedience to the bishops, I promise not 
to yield myself subject to them, in any things but such as 
are cfoil; and otherwise to disclaim any of their authority 
over me, as they are taken for ministers. 

6. “ To conclude. Whatever I use in my ministry, 


* MS. Chronology, vol. ti. p. 435. (2,) 


SNAPE. 418 


which shall be proved out of the word of God, to be 
unlawful, I will leave it: and whatsoever I use not, which 
may be also. proved out of the word of God that » ought to 
use, I will, Gcod willing, use it.’’» a 
Also, on one of these occasions, when Mr. Snape ap- 
peared before his ecclesiastical inquisitors, he confessed 
and said, “ It was agreed upon in the classical and 
eral assemblies, that dumb ministers were no ministers of 
hrist, and that the ministers shoyld preach to promote a 
pure ecclesiastical government.’’+ oo, 
| Mr. Snape is said to have confessed in effect the whole of 
that with which he and his brethren were charged. He 
acknowledged that he moved the mayor of Northampton 
fo ‘unite with other towns, in presenting a’ supplication to 
the queen, humbly beseeching her. majesty to hear their 
cries, and grant them a more pure ecclesiastical discipline. 
He joined with his brethren in their association at Warwick, 
in 1588; when they declared against private baptism, 
reading apocryphal books and homilies in the church, com- 
municating with unlawful ministers and the government of . 
bishops and archbishops, and for the erection of a better 
discipline. 
’ He is said, also, to have used the following rash expres- 
sions, against the persecuting prelates:—‘¢ I pray God 
sthen our faith, and arm us with patience; and then 
let the devil and his deputies the bishops, do what: they 
can. In the mean time let us take our pennyworths of 
them, and not die in their debt. It fareth with us as with 
the prisoners in popery. (sod send us their comfort.” And 
he compared the established church, under the oppressions 
of the bishops, “ to Babel and the Red Dragon, dyed red 
with the blood of the saints.”} Oppression will make a 
wise man mach 
At one of Mr. Snape’s examinations, the following curious 
interrogatory was proposed, to which he was required to 
give his answer :—‘ Have you said and signified this, viz. 
‘ How say you, if we devise a way to take off all the anti- 
christian yoke and government of bishops, and will jointly 
erect the discipline and government all in one day, in such 
sort as they shall never be able to prevail to the iar 
But peradventure, it will not be this year and half?’ Or, 
did you use any words to the like effect, or tending or 
_ # Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. xv. p. 72. _ an 


+ Baxter’s Second Plea, p. 32. yo 7 
+ Baker’s M9. Collec. vol. xv. p. 73, 74. . ee . 


414 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


sounding that way? To whom, when, and where, and what 
Was your mearting, and only meaning thereby ?”*. Such 
uisition was certainly designed to ensnare his conscience, 
to compel him to become his own accuser, even in the 
presence of his judges. : 
After having suffered eleven months’ close imprisonment, 
Mr. Snape united with many others under similar oppres- 
in presenting a supplication to the lord treasurer, 
hum rd desiring to be admitted to give bail. At the same 
time, Archbishop Whitgift sent them a form of submission, 
which they unanimously rejected. A particular account of 
these transactions is given in another place.+ But when be 
was released from prison, we are not able to learn. 
The following anecdote is related of this 
servant of God. Mr. Snape, it is said, being cast into 
prison by the bishops for nonconformity; and all his 
money being expended by his long confinement, he met 
with much unkind usage from the jailer. The good man 
being one day on his knees.in fervent prayer to God, and 
the window of his chamber being open, observed something 
thrown into the room; but he resolved to finish his prayer, 
before he examined what it was. When he rose from his 
knees, he found, to his great surprize, a purse fall of gold 
lying on his chamber floor. By this unexpected supply, 
he was more comfortable in his situation, and enabled to 
make his keeper better natured ever after.t The Lord 
heareth the young ravens when they cry ; how much more 
will he hear his afflicted people! 


Joun Homes was brought up under Bishop Jewel, and 
was an excellent preacher, and a man of great piety. 
Bishop Woolton of Exeter having obtained a good opinion 
of him, presented him to the benefice of Keane in Devon- 
shire. He no sooner entered upon his public charge, than 
he began to labour as a faithful steward of the manifold 
mysteries of God. Being deeply concerned for the weltare 

his flock, he manifested a strong affection for their hest 
interests. He embraced every opportunity of affordi 
them the best instruction, particularly by his catechet 
exercises, a practice to which they had been very little 
accustomed. He also faithfully reproved their gross vices 
and disorders; for which he was complained of to the 


* Baker’s MS. Collec. vol. xv. p. 76. + See Art, Cartwright. 
+ Mather’s Hist. of New Eng. b. fii. p. 10. 


‘ HOLMES«-GREENHAM., — 415 


hishop; who, though he had been minister of the same 
place, deprived him of the living. In the year 1590, 

umphrey Specot, esq. presented Mr. Holmes to the 
rectory of Tetcote, in the same county; but the above 
prelate refused him institution, and put him to numerous 
troubles, pretending that Mr. Holmes was an ‘inveterate 
schismatic, merely because he could not with a good | 

onscience observe every punctilio of conformity. 


aT. 


- Ricnarp. Greennam, A: M.—This most excellent 
servant of Christ was born about the year 1531, and 
educated in Pembroke hall, Cambridge; where he took his 
degrees in Arts, and was chosen fellow.» Upon his 
removal from the university, he became pastor to the 
congregation at Drayton, near Cambridge; where he con- 
tinued many years, not sparing -himself to promote the 
‘galvation-of souls. .He was a hard student, and constantl 
dose, winter and summer, at four o'clock in the morning. He 
always preached twice on a Lord’s day, and catechised 
the young people of his parish. He usually preached four 
times and catechised once, during the week; and for the 
" greater convenience of his people, these week-day services 
‘were observed. early in the morning. He took such 
uncommon pains, and was so remarkably ardent, in his 
preaching, that at the conclusion of the seryice, his 
perspiration was so great, that his shirt was usually as wet 
as if it had been drenched in water.' He was more 
concerned to be useful, than to obtain any worldly 
emolument whatever ; therefore, he refused several lucrative 
preferments when offered him. He naturally cared for 
souls, and manifested on all occasions a warm concem 
for their salvation. At the same time, he was not unmind 
fal of their temporal comfort, but abounded in acts of 
Jiberality to the poor and distressed ; for which he and his 
family often suffered want. In addition to his public 
ministerial labours, he had a remarkable talent for comfort 
ang afflicted consciences ; and in this department the Lord 
greatly blessed his endeavours. Having himself waded 
¢hrough the deep waters, and laboured under many painfia 
conflicts, he was eminently qualified for relieving others. 
.The fame of his usefulness in resolving the donbe a 
inquiring souls, having spread through the cont. 


_* Baker's M3, Collec. vol. tt, p. 878 


416 LIVES OF SHE PURITANS. 


multitudes from all quarters, flocked to bim as to a wise 
physician, and by the blessing of God, obtained the 

ired coinfort. Numerous persons who to his own know,r 
ledge had laboured. under the most racking terrors of 
conscience, were restored to joy and peace in believing. — 
When any complained of blasphemous thoughts, his advice | 
was ‘do not fear them, but abhor them.”’e 

Mr. am was a man remarkable fer peace. . He 
was celebrated for promoting peace among those who were 
at variance, and in labouring incessantly for the peace of 
the church of God. He was a most exact and conscientious 
nonconformist, choosing on all occasions to suffer, rather 
than sacrifice a good conscience. Though he cautiously 
avoided speaking against conformity, or those things whi 
to him appear jectionable in the established church; 
lest he should give the least offence, he was suspended from 
his ministry, for refusing to subscribe and wear the habits. 
He was of opinion that rites and ceremonies introduced inte 
the church of Christ, without the warrant of scriptare, 
were of no real advantage, but productive of much super+ 
stition ;¢ therefore, he prayed that all such things, as 
hinderances to the success of the gospel, might be takea 
away. To subscribe to any thing besides the word of 

oF not collected from that sacred volume, be durst 

not, but peremptorily re § - 

‘Whoever will. read his letter to Dr. Cox, bishop of 
will easily perceive what manner of spirit they were . 
who could bear hard upor so excellent and. peaceable a 
divine.y When he was called before the bishop, upon a 
complaint of his nonconformity, he discovered.at his 
prudence, Peocenblenese, sense., His ship 
observing there was @ great schism in the church, a 
him whether the blame was attached to the conformists, or 
nonconformists. To which Mr. Greenham immediately 

ied, “ that it might be attached to either, or. to. neither. 

For,” said he, “if both parties loved each ether as they 
ought, and did acts of kindness for each. other, thereby 
maintaining ‘love and concord, the blame wauld be on 
neither side; but. which y soever niade the rent, the 
icharge of schism bel to them.” The bishop is said.te 


® Clark's Lives annexed to his Martyrelegic, p. W—18._ 
. + Parte ofa Register, p. 86—08. , 
Greenbam’s Works, p. 278. Edit. 1001. . 
Parte of a Register, p. 88, 89. 
| This letter ts necserved, bat toe.leag id bus insaction.—Ibid. p.. 66-88... 


GREENHAM. . 417 


have becit so well satisfied with this answer, that he 
dismissed him in peace.» Mr. Greenham united with his. 
brethren in subscribing the “ Book of Discipline.’’s 
This worthy divine having laboured in the ministry at 
Drayton about twenty-one years, removed to London, and 
became minister at Christ-church, where, in about two 
years, he finished his labours. He died a most comfortable 
and happy death, in the year 1591, aged sixty years. 
‘Fuller, who says he died of the plague, observes, that he 
--was an avowed enemy to nonresidents, and wondered 
how such men could find any comfort in their wealth. 
“¢ For,” he used to say, “ they must see written upon all they 
have, this is the price of blood.” Our author adds, that he 
was most precise in his conversation, a strict observer of the 
Lord’s day, and that no book made a greater impression upon 
the minds of the people, than his ‘“ Treatise on the Sabbath,” 
which greatly promoted the observance of it through the 
nation.t Mr. Strype denominates him a pious minister, but 
not well affected to the orders of the established church..s 
Mr. Greenham was an excellent writer, for the time in 
which he lived.” His works, including Sermons, Treatises, 
and a Commentary on Psalm cxix., came forth at different 
times, but were collected and published in one volume 
folio, in 1601. -The excellent Bishop Wilkins speaks in 
high commendation of his sermons, classing them with the 
most valuable in his day.) And his commentary, says Dr. 
Williams, is admirable, for the time in which it was written, 
both for style and method ; and, like all the productions of 
this author, is full of spiritual unction.1 | | 
The above edition of Mr. Greenham’s works was 
published by Mr. Henry Holland, and dedicated to the 
Countess of Cumberland and the Countess Dowager of 
Huntington. In this dedication, it is observed as follows: - 
‘JT come as in the name of the faithful servant of Christ, 
Mr. ‘Richard Greenham, a man well known unto your 
honours, and to those most religious patrons of all piety and 
ood learning, the Right Honourable Earls of Huntington, 
Warwick, and Bedford, of blessed memory, which now 
sleep in the Lord. Of them was he much reverenced in his 
life-time; of your honours much lamented after death ; for 
you know the loss of such to be no small rack unto the church 
and people of -God. Such experience and good liking 


* Clark’s Lives, p. 13. + Neal’s Puritans, vol. i. p. 423. 

¢ Foller’s Church Hist. b. ix. p. 219, 220. § Strype’s Aylmer, p. 152, 

| Diseeurse on: Preaching, p. 82,83. owas Preacher, p. 481. 
YOL. I. ° E —_ 


418 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


have your honours had of this man of God, of his godliness 

and gravity, and of the manifold gifts of God in fim, that 
I need say no more, as any way doubting of your honour- 
able acceptation.”’ 

In the cdition of his works, published in 1612, there:is a 
dedication by Mr. Stephen Egerton, another excellent pu- 
ritan, to Sir Marmaduke Darrell and Sir Thomas Bloother, 
knights, part of which is as follows:—‘ Surely, if one 
heathen man could gather gold out of the writings of 
another, how much more may we, being christians, gather _ 
not gold only, but pearls and precious stones out of | 
the religious and holy labours of Mr. Richard Greenhan, 
being a most godly brother; yea, more than a brother, 
even a most painful pastor, zealous preacher, and reverend 
father in the church of God ; of whom I am persuaded that 
for practical divinity he was inferior to few or none jn his 
time.” 

This pious divine had a strong and an unceasing attach- 
ment to the house of God. He used to say that ministers 
ought to frequent those places most where God hath: made 
them most useful. Having once found the sweetness of 

raining souls, thither should they be most desirous to resott. 

e had so conscientious a regard for the ordinance of 
public worship, that, however weak might be the talents of 
the preacher, he constantly esteemed it his duty, as well as 
his happiness, to resort to the house of the Lord. 


Gites Wicainton, A. M.—This zealous puritan was 
born at Oundle in Northamptonshire, educated in Trinity 
college, Cambridge, and, in 1566, made sécond scholar in 
the college. He went to the university under the patronage 
and recommendation of Sir Walter Mildmay,* and was 
educated under Dr. Beaumont, master of the above college. 
Afterwards, he was chosen fellow of the house, though 
much opposed by Dr. Whitgift, then master of the college. 
He took his de in arts in 1571, having made great 
progress in the knowledge of divinity and the Greek and 


* Sir Walter Mildmay was a constant friend to the persecuted noncot- 
formists, and founder of Emanuel college, Cambridge, which afterwards 
became the very nursery of puritanism. He was surveyor of the coert of 
argumentation in the reign of Henry VIII., and privy counsellor, . 
chancellor, and ander-treasurer of the exchequer to Queen Elizabeth. 
He is celebrated by Camden, and other historians, for his uncemmon 
merit in bis private and public character.—Fuller’s Hist. of Com. p 146, 
147.—Granger’s Biog, Hist. vol, i. Pe 283, © - 


.* .'° WIGGINTON. ° 419 


Hebrew . He continued some years longer at 
Cambridge, and, when he quitted the university, was 
spossessed of great learning and many excellent endowments. 
- Mr. Wigginton having completed his studies at the 
university, was presented to the vicarage of Sedburgh, in 
the North Riding of Yorkshire; but being a zealous non- 
conformist, he became a great sufferer in the common 
‘cause. In the year 1581, Archbishop Sandys, writing to 
the. Bishop of Chester, in whose diocese our divine lived, 
thus reproaches his nonconformity :—“ Your lordship,” 
says he, ‘shall do well to better Mr. Wigginton, a young 
‘man very far out of frame; who, in my opinion, will not 
accept of you as his ordinary or bishop; neither would I 
accept of him being in your place, as a preacher of m 

diocese.- He laboureth not to build, but to pull down, and, 
by what means he can, to overthrow the state ecclesi- 
 astical.”* Hé probably thought the ecclesiastical state so 
far corrupted and decayed, that it was incapable of the 
amendment that was desired; and, therefore, he might 
wish and endeavour by all peaceable means, to have if 
- pulled down, and a more pure discipline and government 


' Being afterwards in London, he was appointed in the 
year 1584, to preach before the judges, in St. Dunstan’s - 
church. Information of this coming to the ears of 
‘Whitgift, then Archbishop of Canterbury, he sent a 
pursuivant to Mr. Wigginton’s lodgings in the-dead of the 
night ; and, finding him in bed, forbade him preaching, and 
required him to give bond for his-appearance the next day, 
at Lambeth. - All this he did without any written warrant. 
Upon his appearance at Lambeth, and refusing the oath 
_ €® Officio, to answer certain articles altogether unknown. to 
him, the archbishop, after using much reviting. and 
reproachful language, committed him to the. Gatehouse, 
where he remained nine weeks within one day. At the 
expiration of this period, the merciful archbishop released 
him, and gave him canonical admonition, charging him 
not to preach in his province without further license.+ 
-_ In the year 1585, upon the information of one Edward 
' Middleton, a man of profane character, and a s ted 
papist, W hitgift gave orders to his brother Sandys of York, 
to proceed against Mr. Wigginton, even to deprivation. 
He was therefore cited before Chadderton, bishop. of 


* Baker’s M&. Collec. vol. xxviii, p. 366, . + MS. Register, p. 700. 


420 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. | 


Chester, when twelve charges were exhibited against. him 
and, in the end, he was deprived of his ministry ; and ont 
Colecloth, a minister of immoral character, was sent to take 
ion of the living. Afterwards, by the favour and 
influence of several persons of quality, he .was agaih 
restored. 
In the year 1586, out divine, being in London, 
ap rehendled by one of Whitgift’s pursuivants, and carried 
re his grace at Lambeth ; who, for refusing the oath to 
accuse himself as before, committed him to the White-lion 
rison, where he was treated with the utmost i 
e shall give the account in his own words. “ In 
month of Me 2” ays hey i" I was in London 8 and was 
vex e archbishop’s pursuivants, who 
hended me, and took me to Lanbeth. At Lambeth, i was 
shamefully reviled and-abused by the archbishop and those 
about him, as if I had been the vilest. rebel against my 
prince and country. He then committed me to the 
of the prison in Southwark, who, by the archbishop’s strict 
charge, so loaded me with irona, confined me in close 
prison, and deprived me of necessary food, that in about 
five weeks, I was nearly dead.” Such were the unfeeling 
and inhuman proceedings of this persecuting arch-prelate. 
While in this deplorable condition, Mr. Wigginton 
wrote to a certain nobleman, soliciting him to use his 
utmost endeavours to obtain his deliverance from 
cruel usage. In this letter, dated from the White-lion, 
June 1, 1586, he expressed himself as follows-:—‘ I desire 
‘¢ you to make known my lamentable case to her majesty 
“ honourable - privy council, or to her majesty herself, tha 
“the cause of my imprisonment may be examined, and 
“ that I may be delivered from this hard usage. For I 
‘6 desire justice, and not mercy, being conscious of my owa 
“innocency. My old adversary,: the archbishop, hath 
“ treated me more like a Turk, or a dog, than a man, or® 
“ minister of Jesus Christ. I heartily commend you to 
& God. . GiLes WIGGiINTON.”* 
He further proceeds in this account of himself, and says, 
< At length, my life being in so great danger, I was removed 
to another prison in London. And some time after. this, 
I was brought again to Lambeth; when, for refusing w 
answer as before, after much slanderous , the arch- 
bishop suspended: me from preaching in: his province, 


* MS. Register, p. 760. 


WIGGINTON. __ . 42) 


and, in a certain way, deprived.me of my living at Sed- 
yurgh: but for my final deprivation, he sent me to Sandys, 
.. grchbishop of York. | 
¢ When by the extremity of my sickness in prison, I was 
constrained still to abide some time in the city ; and when, 
in the opinion of learned physicians, I was on my death-bed, 
the archbishep sent two pursuivants, commanding me to 
appear before him again at Lambeth; which {| being 
unable to do, he pronounced against me the sentence of 
Feprivation and degradation.» After my departure, the 
of Warwick and Huntington, without my solicitation, 
did éarnestly sue unto him tor my restoration; but he 
absolutely refused, signifying, that he had already written 
to the patron of the living, for the presentation of another 
to the place.”+ | 
Upon Mr. Wigginton's recovery from sickness, he 
returned to Sedburgh, and offered himself to preach in the 
church, but was refused the pulpit. He, therefore, preached 
in various places, and particularly in his own house, where 
he had a considerable assembly ; and looking upon himself 
ag the pastor set over the people by the Lord, he adminis- 
tered both the ordinances of the gospel. This coming to 
the knowledge of Whitgift, by his instigation an attach- 
ment was sent forth from Archbishop Sandys, “ To all 
jastices, mayors, sheriffs, bailiffs, constables, and all other 
her majesty's officers and subjects, within the province of 
York, or to any of them, to apprehend him, and commit 
him to the castle of Lancaster, in the province of York.”’+ 
Accordingly, Mr. Wigginton being soon after on a jour- 
ney, was apprehended at Boroughbridge, arrested by a 
pursuivant the archbishop, and carried to Lancaster 
castle, being the distance of fifty miles, in a severe, cold 
winter. There be was shut up in close prison among 
felons and condemned prisoners, and more basely used than 
they, or the recusant papists. From hence he sent an 
account of his case to Sir Walter Mildmay, his worthy 
pe tron, and one of the privy council; wherein he expressed 
! as follows :5 | " . 


- © Whitgift, says Hume, was 3 zealous churchman, who had signalized 
bis pen in controversy; and who, having in vain attempted to convince 
the puritans by argument, was now resolved to open their eyes by power, 
and by the execution of penal statutes. — Hist. of Eng. vol, v. p. 188. 

" -¥ The person presented to the living, was oue Hard Beton, 8 man 
walearned, and epealy prefane.—M &, Register, p. _ : 

t Ibid. P- 167. y ar Ibid. p- 158, 754, ° 


428 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


'¢ Right honourable and beloved in Christ; "| °** 

« Since my late deprivation at Lambeth, I have both 

hed and ministered the sacraments, to my flock aft . 

burgh ; nor could I fiid any rest in my conscicnce’ till 

I had done this.» Arid asI have not depended on any man’s 

opinion, in what I have done, so the Lord hath abund- 

- antly blessed me with heavenly comforts in my own ‘soul 

and under my painful sufferings; and abundantly blessed 
my labours among those whom he committed to my care. 

« ) have turncd my back upon those antichristian and 
unlawful proceedings which were used against me, my 
ministry, and my fiéck. This was necessary in these day: 
of prelatical and popish superstition. But I must inform 

ou, that as I was lately on my journey as far as Borough- 
ridge, my wife big with child, and the other branches of my 
family being with me, J was there arrested by a pursuivant, 
and brought to this place, a distance of fifty miles, in this 
cold winter. The chief cause of this usage, is my 
preaching and administrating the sacraments among my 
k, after my deprivation: Dr. Sandys used me hardly, 

in causing me, and those who were with me, to remain four 
days at Boroughbridge, and in sending me this distance, to 
this noisome prison, in cold winter, when there were better 
prisons near at hand. I am here within the iron gate, ina 
cold room, among felons and condemned prisoners, and in 
various ways, worse used than they, or recusant papisis. 
Therefore, my suit to your honour, is, that it would please 
your honour to use some ‘means, as God shall direct 
whereby ] may be delivered out of the hands of my cruel 
enemies. And that it may please your honour to further 
the reformation of our English church, especially in this 
present parliament ; that the faithful ministers of Christ may 
not be silenced by the prelates; that good christians may 
not be brought mto trouble, for refusing those rites and 
ceremonies which are the inventions of men; and that a 
_ learned and godly minister may be appointed to every 
tion. ne 

‘You are now one of the oldest nobles in our land. 
Your days are few and wearing out; therefore, let them 
be spent to the honour of Christ. Thus we shall pray. for 


* About ome hundred and forty. of Mr. Wigginton’s people, for.the sad 
erime of hearing him preach after: his deprivation, wete cited to appear 
at York and ether places, at the distance of sixty or eighty miles, - mest ef 


whom were excommupicated the. ecclesiastical cammissioners.-- MZ. 
Register, p.710. = " 


WIGGINTON. | 423. 


yor, while you live, and esteem your posterity when you 
aye with Christ in the kingdom of heaven. The Lord both 
sc aide and bless your honour, and his whole church. From. 
. r castle, February 28, 1587. 
“. Gites Wiaeinton, pastor of Sedburgh.” 
_ _¥t does net appear what effect was produced by the 
above letter, nor how long Mr. Wigginton remained a 
close prisoner ; but in about two years, he was brought — 
into other troubles by Waitgitt his old adversary. 
In the month of December, 1588, being in London, the 
grchbishop’s pursuivant apprehended him at his lodgings, 
while he was in bed, and carried him to Lambeth, upon’ 
suspicion of being one of the authors of Martin Mar-Prelate.: 
At Lambeth, he appeared before the Archbishop, the’ 
Bishep of Winchester, Dr. Aubery, Dr. Cosin, Dr. Goode! 
: roy and other high commissioners; when he underwen 
the following examination : oe 

Arclibishop. There .is a book, called Martin Mar-’ 
Prelate, a vile, seditious; and intolerable book; and you’ 
are suspected to be one of its authors. Therefore, you are 
to swear what you know concerning it. } 

. Wigginton.’ You do well to let me know what I have to 
swear to. But let me know, also, who are my accusers.: 
For I do not mean to accuse myself. 

A. We will take yqur answers upon your word alone. 
What say you to these articles following ? Have you any 
of those books? or have you read or heard any of them 
read, or any pt of them, at any time? : 

W. I will not answer to accuse myself. Let my 
accusers stand forth and proceed against me. You have" 
known my mind upon this point, many years. 

A. Have you had any of them, and how many? How 
came you by them? at did you do with them ? In 
whoee hands are they? And by whose means did you 
obtain them ? | 

W. I had rather accuse myself, than other persons; but 

I will accuse neither. Let miine accusers, and Propet 
m, 


M 


witnesses rding to ‘the laws of God and the 
. against me. I expect no comfort in accusing 
wyself, or my neighbour. | 
A. Have you ht, sold, given, dispersed, handled, 
omy wey ealt in any of them ? and in what sort? 
. I acconnt it as unnatural for me to accuse myself, as 
to thrust a knife into my thigh. ' The matter, I understand, 
$s donbtful and dangerous ; therefore, I will accuse neither’ 


40h LIVES OF TBE PURITANS. 


tpysclf nor others... “Jn the mouth of two or three 
witnesses, let.every word be established.” The heathen 
Jndge said, “ I will hear thee when thine accusers are come.” 

- Do you know the author, writer, or printer of that 
book? Did you make or help to make, write, or print it, 
or any part of it, or see any part of it before it was printed ? 

W. I did neither make, write, nor print it, nor any part 
of it, por see any part of it before it was printed. 

_ A. Did you not deliver some copies of it ia the country, 
one to Mr. Moore, and another to Mr. Cartwright ? 

_W. I understand, what you well know, that many lords, 
and other persons of quality, have obtained and read the 
book. And supposing | have done the same, it will, in my 
opinion, be more to your credit, to examine all sorts about 
it, and not poor persons only, according to your custom. 

A. Whom do you believe, think, suspect, or conjecture, 
to be the author, writer, or printer of it, or any part of it, 
ar any way helper towards it? Did .you make any oath, 
or vows Or Promises to conceal the same ? 

. W. at I believe, think, sus ar con) or. 
have vowed or promised, I am not bound to oake kucwn. 
I answer as before, I would rather accuse myself; than my 
neighbour. 

- What printing press, or furniture for printing, have 
you known, within the two years last past ? : 

W. I know of none, as i told you before. 

. A. Yes, but you are verily suspected of it. Public 

e is against you. 

W. I thank God, I am not infamous; nor will I borrow 
ofany.man. But, by the grace of God, I willlivea true 
subject, the benefit of whom I claim, and wish to enjoy. 

. A. But what do you say about the case of Atkinson of 
Sedburgh, as mentioned in the book ? Did net you minister 
this report of Atkinson, nor any thing else towards the 
book? Have you the note of Atkinson’s hand for it, or 
who hath it? : . 

. W. I did not minister any such thing. . For if I had 
done it, I would have reported the same story in another 
form. Atkinson told it to many others besides me, whose 
names [ reserve in silence. 

‘A. ‘Did you not say to the pursuivant, as you came in 
the boat, that you had seen the second Martin, called, 
“ The Epitome 2” 

W. Let the pursuivant stand forth, and aceuse ne, if he: 


_ WIGGINTON. ee) 


ishop. You have preached pernicious doctrine. : 
‘+. W.°What do-you mean by pernicious doctrine? I 
preach that doctrine which promotes the glory of God, and 
. the salvation of his people. _ 
. B We have the queen’s authority and commission in our 
s. 

- W. I pray for you, that you may do well; but this I 
tell you, that while I profess to serve God, all that I do 
is not the service of God:..so while you challenge the 
queen s aothority and commission, all that you do is not 

queen’s authority and commission. | 

' A. The papists answer altogether like you. . 

_y W. The papists eat bread, and so do I: and I fear not 
to do like them in any good thing. Yet I hope you will 
make a difference betwixt me and papists. 

. A. Not in that point: 

W. It is well known that. you mistake my design, and I 
yours; but I wish you well. 

A. I care not for your wishes. 

W.. My wishes and prayers, though they be sinful, will 
do you no harm. 
ae: I desire them not, and would be loath to come under 


W. , Love me not the worse for being plain with you. 

Cosin. No, you are not so plain; for you do not directly 
answer. 

_ W. -Martin himself, I understand, will come forth, and 
Clefend his matters, if he may have fair trial. . 

A. Record that, Mr. Hartwell. , 

W. It is well known that 1 am as ready to read and lend 
that book as any person, in a good and lawful manner. Yet 
I will not accuse myself, and thus do myself hurt, and you 
no good. . And I would rather have to speak well, than ill 
eof you hereafter. 

Goodman. If we be ill, whom do you mean? 

W. All are ill, and need reformation. | 

Aubery. Did not you tell Mr. Martin, your keeper at the 
Compter, that he could not find out the author of the book ? 

. W. Mr. Martin is a simple man, and imagines from the 
title of the book, that [ am the author. : 

A. Ys Mr. Perry then the author of the “ Demonstration,” 
or of Martin Mar-Prelate? 

W. I think he is not. And I think you are greatly 
deceived in charging him with it. 

A. There are many lies in Martin. 


496. LIVES OF THR. PURITANS. 


W. You must then confute them. 8 89 -§ == -sC: 
A. You despise the high commission. Why do you 
wear a cloak above your gown? : eS 
W. Asa woman just come out of child-bed, I am just: 
come out pf the Compter, and dress thus, fearing--the . 


A, You make a wise comparison of yourself. -Such. 
women must be kept warm. role mas 
W. Then let them be kept warm." = ae 
The commissioners having finished the. examination -of: 
Mr. Wigginton, and finding him, after using all the inqai-- 
sition their wits could devise, unwilling to accuse himself. 
er others, they dismissed him from their presence, while 
they consulted what they should do. And being agai 
called in, the meek and lowly archbishop thus addressed: 
him :—‘* Forasmuch as you have refused to swear, and to — 
answer.as we have required you, and so, by law, have-con- 
fessed yourself to be guilty of the accusations charged. 
against you; and as you: have at sundry times, and in 
vers ways, shewed your contempt of our ecclesiasts 
authority, and of this our high commission, which the’ 
queen hath given unto us, and’ which you shall obey aad. 
yield unto, before 1 have done with you; therefore, your 
former enlargement shall now be taken away, and- you. 
shall be kept close prisoner in the Gatehouse, until you 
shall yield in these matters ; and when you are so disposed, : 
you may send us word. In the mean time go your way. 
Away with him pursuivant.”+ He was then carried to the- 
Gatehouse, where he remained a long time; and though 
repeated intercessions were made to the archbishop for his. 
release, it was all to no purpose. Mr. Wigginton was a’ 
pious.man, a zealous minister, and a learned divine, and. 
was living in the year 1591; but he most probably con-- 
tinued in the Gatehouse for several years, until the general: 
banishment of the puritans.§ a 


This great sufferer in the cause of nonconformity, during 


© MS, Register, p. S4S—848. tIbid. =~ , 

{ The warrant sent to the keeper of the Gatehouse, was as follows :— 
** Herewith we send you ope Giles Wigginton, whom we will aad requirg, 
*¢ you, and in her majesty’s name, do strictly charge and command youto’ 
‘¢ petain in your custody, by virtue of her higitness’s commission for chutes 
** ecclesiastical to us and others directed, and him safely to keep and 
*¢ detain, until you shall have fgrther direction from us And hereof fail 
*‘ you not, as you will answer te the coptrary at your peril. Gives at 
** Lambeth, December 6, 1588." Ikid. $49. ' ° 


§ MS. Chronolegy, vel, ii. p. 441. @.) 


..WIGGINTON.” °° 


his confinement in prison, liad some correspondence with 
Hacket, the zealous enthusiast, who is said to have devised 
mad plots against the government; for which he was 
hanged, drawn and quartered. Whatever acquaintance 
of correspondence he had with this man, he never approved 
of his opinions and practice. However, from his’ slight | 
connection with Hacket, Coppinger, and Arthington, ‘his 
memory has suffered greatly from the scurrilous pen of Dr.’ 
Cosin, one of the high commission in the gbove examination ; 
and herein he is followed by other historians.» On. this 
aceount, it will be proper to give a circumstantial staté- 
ment of the case, even allowing his enemies to be judges. ~ 
“That Wigginton held correspondence with these men in 
the matters of their conspiracy, and that there was mutual 
correspondence betwixt him and them in all their plots for 
advancing their discipline, is manifest, says our author, by 
the confession of Arthington, who said, ‘‘ That he heard. 
Racket singing certain songs, who wished that Arthington 
had some of them. For it was a very special thing, and," 
said he, Mr. Wigginton hath a great many of them.” 
This is one evidence of their mutual and united con- 
spiracy!: Do , , "4 . - 
Coppinger, it is said, had once a conference with Wig- 
ginton, in the presence of Arthington, concerning his 
extraordinary calling. On this occasion, Mr. Wigginton re- 
fused to be made acquainted with Coppinger’s secrets, saying, 
<<‘ ‘You are known to be an honest gentleman, and sworn to. 
the’ queen, and therefore I will not be Acquainted with . 
those things which God hath revealed unto you for the 
food of your sovereign.”+ Hacket also declared, that he 
rd Mr. Wigginton say, “ That if the magistrates do not 
govern well, the people might draw themselves together, - 
and see to a reformation.” This dangerous opinion, it is 
said, may be gathered from one of his letters, in which he 
said, ‘“‘ Mr. Cartwright is in the Fleet, for refusal of the 
oath, and Mr. K. is sent for, and sundry worthy ministers 
are disquieted. So that we look for some bickering ’ere 
long, and then a battle, which cannot long endure.” Cop- 
pinger and Arthington told Wigginton, “ That reforma- 
tion and the Lord’s discipline should now forthwith be 
established, and therefore charged him in the Lord’s name, 
to put all christians in comfort, that they should see a joyful 
alteration in the state of church government shortly.” 


® Strype’s Whitgift, p. $05.—Collier’s Eccl. Hist. vol. ii..p. 327—S29. 
+ Cosin’s Conspiracy, p. 57. Edit. 1699. ‘t Ibid. p. 58, 62. 


408 LIVES OF THE. PURITANS. 


They alec told him, “ That they were provoked’ te -:pro- 
pounce him the holiest minister of all others, for dealing so 
plainly and resolutely in God’s cause above all mini 
which God would manifest. one day to his. comfort.” At 
another time, they came to him and said, “‘ We are come 
to you. now to bring you certain news of great comfort, 
viz. That we have seen Jesus Christ this day, in lively and 
extraordinary or fashion nted unto us, mot én 
bis body ; for he sitteth at the right hand of God in heaven, 
potil the last judgment; but in his effectual or principal 
spirit, whereby he dwelleth in William Hacket, more than in 
any creature upon the earth.”* Such are the grievous crimes 
with which Mr. Wigginton is charged! 1 Frese facts, with 
9 few others equally ridiculous, contain all the evidence of 
his uniting with Hacket his companions, in theix 
mad plots to overtum the government! As our informa- 
tion is from the. pen of one of his bitterest cnemies and 
penecutors, we may presume it is not given at all-in 

is favour, but in name degree. to his disadvantage: the 
empartial reacler will, ore, judge for himself, how faz 

e was ye 

After the most minute investigation, it appears to.me that 
. Mr. Wigginton’s character and memory have suffered great 

igjury from the above bigotted historian, and from those 
who imitated his example. One of them, (Speaking of 
Hacket and his companions, observes, “that one. 
good brotherhood was Wigginton, as brainsick a teacher as 
any of the club, and as staunch an enemy to government.”+ 
The reader will easily perceive the injustice.and falsehood 
ef this representation. For, if this statement be correct, 
why did not his enemies proceed against him, as well as 
against the other conspirators? They were in possession 
ef all the evidence that ever appeared against him, and he 
Was now a prisoner in the Gatehouse; why then did they 
pot punish him according to his deserts? This, surely, 
was not owing to their too great lenity, or their want of 
fnclination. ; | 
. During Mr. Wigginton’s imprisonment, he published two 
pamphlets. One was on “ Predestination ;” the other was 
entitled “* The Fools Bolt; or, a Fatherly Exhortation to a 
certain Young Courtier.” The latter is said to have been 
“ conceived into an halting rhyme;” and written chiefly 
against the governors of the church. - , 


© ‘Cesin'’s Conspiracy, p. 87,88. + Keanet’s Hist. of Eng. vel. il. p. 563. 


T. BARBER. | 429 
‘Tuomas Banser was many years the learned and pious 
minister of Bow-church, London ; where he preached four 
times a. week, to a large and affectionate congregation: 
But his excellent learning, piéty, and labours, could not 
protect him from the persecution of the times. In the 
month of June, 1584, he was called before Archbishop 
Whitgift and other high commissioners, and required to 
take the oath ex officio, to answer the interrogatories of the 
court. Knowing that by taking this oath, he should bé 
liable to accuse himself’; therefore, to avoid further trouble, 
he. refused, and was immediately suspended. After receiy- 
ins the ecclesiastical censure, his parishioners, to the number 
one hundred and twenty, whose names are now beforé 
me, signed a petition to Sir Edward Osborne, the lord 
mayor, and the court of aldermen, to procure his release. 
But that court could do nothing for them.* _ 
Mr: Barber having continued in a state of spspension 
several years, the archbishop, at length, offered to release 
him, on condition that he would subscribe with his own 
hand, the following protestation, dated December, 1587 :— 
“ I do faithfully promise, and by these presents subscribed 
*< with mine-own hand, do testify, that 1 will not, by word 
“<or deed, publicly or privately, directly or indirectly, 
<< impugn, deprave, or reprehend, any government, nit 
<< order, or ceremony, by law established, and retained in thi 
<< church of England: But, on the contrary, to my power; 
<< will, by God’s grace, observe and seek the peace of the 
“<< church of England, and will from time to time, adjoin 
“myself in public prayer, preaching, and admonitions 
«thereunto, and will frequent them diligently, and none 
“ other assemblies, meetings, or conventicles.”+ Mr 
Barber was a man of too much leaming, piety, and good 
sense, to bind himself from exercising the right of private 
judgment, in things sacred. This godly and peaceable 
divine, therefore, claiming the right of thinking and acting 
in these things according to the dictates of truth and his own 
conscience, firmly refused to be tied down with such 
episcopal cords. But how much longer he continued 
under suspension, it does not appear. 
Mr. Barber was one of the additional members of the 
presbyterian church erected at Wandsworth in Surrey; 
and his name js among those learned divines who subscribed 
the “ Book of Discipline.”t About the year 1591, he was 
* MS. ister, p. 458, 459. + Ibid. p. 588, 826, : 
~ Neal’s Puritans, vol, i. p. 423. oe 


450 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


taken into custody, and examined, with several of his 
brethren, relative to the associations of the puritans; and 
being required .to take the oath ex officio, be openly .can- 
Sesscd, and discovered their assemblies, with the manner in 
which they were conducted.* oo 


Rongrt Cawprey.—He was a divine of good reputa- 
tion for learning and piety, but a great sufferer for noncon- 
formity. Having entered into the sacred function about the 
year 1566, he was presented by Secretary Cecil, to the 
rectory of South Luffenham in Rutlandshire; but after- 
wards brought into manifold troubles for refusing to conform. 
After he had been employed in the ministry about twent 
years, he was cited before Bishop Aylmer and other hi 
commissioners; when he was charged with having omitted 
some parts of the Book of Common Prayer ih public 
worship and the administration of the sacraments, and with 
having preached against certain things contained inthe 
book. Though he only omitted the. cross in baptism, and 
the ring in marriage, having used the greatest part of the 
service, he was required to take the oath ex officio, to 
answer all such articles as the tyrannical commissioners 
should propose; which, says Mr. Strype, he refused ; and 
was, therefore, not only suspended, but utterly deprived of 
his ministerial exercise.+ ! 

He might, indeed, at first refuse the oath; and the state- 
ment of our learned historian might so far be correct: yet 
it is evident from the case at considerable length, now 
before me, that he afterwards complied, and, accordingly, 

ve his answers to the various articles. These articles, 
November, 1586, together with his answers, were the 


following : 
ae © « That you are a deacon or minister and priest 
admitted. Declare by whom, and what you were ordered ; 
and likewise that your ordering was according to the book 
in that behalf by law provided | : 
- Ans. ** I am both deacon and priest. I was made 
deacon by Dr. Bullingham, late bishop of Lincoln, and 
‘was made priest by Dr. Scambler, late bishop of Peter- 
borough. I was made deacon about twenty years ago; and 
minister about sixteen, which, I believe, was dane accord- 
_ §ng to the book in that behalf provided. et 

® Strype’s Whitgift, Appen. p. 150—166, 

+ Sterype’s Aylmer, p. 129, 130. a 


CAWDREY, 431 


9: <¢ That you deem and judge your ordering, admission, 
and calling into the ministry, to be lawful, and not repugnant 
to the word of God. - ‘ 
‘:: Ans, ‘CIf 1 were now to be mide 4 minister; I would 
not enter into the ministry according to that order. 4. 

. 3. “ That you have sworn as well at your ordering, as 

. at your institution, duty and allegiance to the queen’s | 

majesty, and canonical obedience to your ordinary and: his 

successors, and to your metropolitan and his successors, or 

‘some of them. | 

' -- Ans.’ When I was instituted, I took an oath, but: do not 

remember the tenour of it; and whether I was sworn at my 

ordering, or not, I do not remember. 

4 6 That by a statute made in the first year of the 

yreen's majesty, a virtuous and godly book, entitled ‘ The 

Book of Common Prayer and administration of Sacra- 

ments, and of other rites ‘and ceremonies: in the Church of 

England,’ was authorized and established in full force, and 

80 remaineth. : 

* Ans; “I believe this article to be true in every part. 

‘- 5. “© That by the said statute, all and singular ministers 

' withia - her ‘majesty’s dominions, are bound to say and 
use # certain form of morning and evening prayer, and 

administration of each of the sacraments, and all other 

common and open prayer, in such form and order as is 
mentioned in the said book, and not otherwise. 

- Ans. “J believe this article tobe true in every part. 

- ' © “ That in the said statute, her majesty and parliament 
‘eesembled, do in God’s name, earnestly charge and require 
all the archbishops, bishops, and other ordinaries, that they 
shall endeavour, to the utmost of their knowledge, that the 
due’ and true execution of. the said act may be had 
throughout their dioceses and charges, as they shall answer 
before Almighty God. en : 

' Ans.“ T believe this article to be true. a 

<= 7,- © That: within the space of three years, two years, one 

ear, half a year, three months, two months, or one mon 
lest ‘past, you have baptized divers infants, or at least one 
infant, otherwise and in other manner than the said: book 
‘preécrideth ; and have wittingly added thereunto, diminished 
“therefrom, or altered according to your own fancy, divers 

‘@ some parts thereof; and especially you have not used 

« the sign of the cross upon the forehead, with the words in 
‘the; said: Book of Gommon Prayer -prescribed to be used. 
Declare :how. many you. have so baptized;. and for whet 


432 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


cause, comsideration, and intent, with the circumstance’ of 
the words by you used or diminished. 3 

Ans. “ | have not used the sign of the cross in the sacra 
iment of baptism. And in reciting the interrogatories to the 
godtathers, I spoke in the plural number, saying you, 

dof ruov. I could not have done it according to 
the order of the said book, or otherwise than as I have doak;, 
I think, with a safe conscience. And since I entered upon 
my ben: fice, | have baptized divers children, but | cannat. 
remember how many. . 

8. “ That within the time aforemid, you have divers 
and sundry times, or at least once, ministered the sacrament 
of the Lord’s supper to the communicants or some of them, 
standing or-walking, and have not used the form of words 
in that behalf appointed and ribed in the said Book of 
Common Prayer. Declare the circumstances thereof, and 
for what cause or consideration you have done this. — 

Ans. ‘I have often ministered the sacrament of the Lard’ 
supper within the time mentioned ; and therein } have di» 
tributed the bread and wine to the communicants as I found 
them, some standing, some sitting, and some kneeling ; but 
never to any walking. And as to the prayers appointed in 
that behalf, and the words at the institation, | have followed 
the exact order of the book. | 

9. ‘* Within the time aforesaid, you have used either ne 
form at all, or have used some other than that which the 
said book prescribeth, in the burial of thedead; and- have 
refused or omitted using or saying divers words appointed 
and prescribed in that behalf, in the said book. the 
circumstances thereof, and for what cause or consideration 
you have done this. 

Ans. “ Within this year or two, in the burial of the 
dead, I have not read the whole service; because I am 
persuaded that some parts of it do nourish superstition. 4 

ve omitted this clause, Zn sure and certain hope of the 
tendency. And bendcs reading the chapter appointed, f 

jlency. : - ides reading the chapter ap , 
have nded some of the scriptire a inted to be 
fread si fanerale. : per PPS 
10. “ That within the time aforesaid, you have spenly in 
your sermons or sermon, preached ‘or rather. invei 
against the Book of Common Prayer, and ‘the aqthority of 
archbishops and bishops. You said that the. Book-af— 
Common :Pr 


ayer isa wicked thing, fie upon it 1 ‘fle wpont itt 


‘CAWDREY, | 433 


‘and that nonresident ministers are ministers of antichrist. 
Declare as before, the circumstances thereof, and for what. 
cause or consideration you have done this. __. 
ue . About six weeks since, I preached the lecture af 
ppingham, being thereto appointed, taking for my text 
Coli. 3—7. I then observed, as naturally arising from the 
wi that there was an equality among the ministers of 
Christ; and that Epiphras, the faithful minister of Christ, 
as mentioned in the text, was not a nonresident, and 
had not one charge in this country and another in 
another country. _I then spoke of the benefits of a faithful 
ministry, and said that the want of it is the cause of - 
i nce, superstition, atheism, conspiracy, and rebellion. 
d in the warmth of my zeal, seeing the book tolerateth 
an ignorant and unfaithful ministry, [ said, ‘ it is a vile 
book, fie upon it!’ ”’« , | | 
Mr. Cawdrey delivered the above answers upon his oath, 
in the presence of Bishop Aylmer, Dr. Stanhope, and Dr. 
Walker. These spiritual rulers thus obliged the good man 
to take an oath, with a view of making him accuse himself. 
This was the constant practice of the high commission 
court. Mr. Cawdrey having given his answers to the charges . 
brought against him, he was ordered to appear again in the 
‘month of December, to answer certain articles, mostly 
same as those already noticed. Upon his appearance at the 
time appointed, after a long examination, without comin 
to. any conclusion, he was cited to appear a thi 
time in the month of February following. Upon his third 
appearance, being required to subscribe, and to enter into 
an engagement to wear the surplice, he refused, and was 
kept some time in a state of confinement. During his 
examination, the Bishop of London, urging him to wear the 
irplice, thus addressed him : 
' “Bishop. Suppose you were able to keep four or six 
servants in livery, and one or two of them should refuse to’ 
wear your livery, would you take it all in ggod part? Are 
not we the queen’s servants? And is not the surplice the 
livery which she hath appointed to be worn? ' And do you 
think she will be content if we refuse to wear it? Besjdes, 
the. long prayer which you use before your sermons, is 
nothing but bibble babble, bibble babble. | 
' Cawdrey. Every kingdom divided against itself must 
néeds come to desolation. So when protestants set themselves 
og. + MS, Register, p. 190-—792, 
VOL. I. 2F 


43 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


against protestants, and deal more severely with them thas 
with papists, confusion must follow. 

B. We do not deal hardly with you, but the laws of the 
vealm. We are only ministers to execute the law. 

C. You turn those laws against us, which were made 
against the papists. We think it is very hard dealing that you 
and your brethren, the bishops, do punish us for not obsery- 
ing the Book of Common Prayer in every point, especially 
as neither you, nor most of the bishops in England, have 
observed it in all points these twenty-eight years. ; 

B. Wherein do we not observe it 7 - 

~C,: Because you do not confirm children, as the book 
enjoins you to do. By the book we are charged not to 
receive persons to the communion, ‘until they have been 
confitmed by the bishop: so we are brought into a painful 
extremity, and must either offend God, by keeping the 
people from the communion, or the book, by admitting 
them, without confirmation. Hf persons can examiné 
themselves, and be able to give a reason of their faith, we 
may not, we dare not, refuse them the communion, though 
the book forbids us to admit them till after they have been 
confirmed by the bishop. 

B. Why, what canst thou sa against it ? 

C. More than can be said for it. For, you well know 
it is a popish ceremony, and not warranted by the word of 
God ; therefore, you justly omit it. And why may not we 
omit other points, more superstitious and offensive than this, 
without being brought into trouble ?+ 

B. You shall not depart unless you will subscribe’ to use 
the book in every point, and engage to wear the surplice. 

’ C, These are things in whick Pam not yet resolved. I 
have not wore the surplice since I entered into the ministry; 
and if I could be persuaded to wear it, my parishioners 
would be offended, and all the papists and atheists in the 
country would triumph. Therefore, I pray you, give me 
sufficient time to deliberate upon it. 7 

' B. I will, if you will give sufficient security for your 
appearance here next sitting. 

- That I will do. 

B. But if thou go home, thou wilt confer with thy 
fellows, and they will persuade thee not to wear the surplice- 
Therefore, I will keep thee here, and will not let.thee go.+ 


* Here the bishop was much offended, and immediately suspended Ms 
Cawdrey from preaching in any part of the kingdom. ; 
t MS. Register, p. 792—T94. 


CAWDRE¥. =e - 435 


- Mr.. Cawdrey being kept for some time: in a ‘state of 
confinement, was brought before the high commission, 
May. 5, 1587. Though. his case was not then considered ; 
yet seeing a worthy minister out of Essex deprived, for net 
observing in.every point the Book of Common Prayer, and 
not wearing the surplice ; and fearing that he should him- 
self soon share the same fate, he presented a supplication to 
‘his worthy friend and patron, the Lord Treasurer Burleigh. 
This supplication, dated May 10, 1587, was as follows :* 
“In most humble and dutiful manner, may it please 
your honour to be advertised, that as your poor orator, ia 
lovember last, preaching a sermon at Uppingham, ina 
lecture regularly holden there, happened to speak against a 
point of the communion book, and was forthwith accused 
to the high commissioners ; (though by whom he knoweth 
not) and being sent for by them, was compelled against the 
law to swear to answer such articles or interrogatories as 
they ministered unto him. This being done, your humble 
suppliant did appear again; and after conference with the 
Bishop of London, he suspended him from his ministry, 
and so hath been suspended these twelve weeks. And 
because your said orator hath so answered the said 
interrogatories, as that by law no advantage can be taken 
against him, the said bishop doth now urge him to subscribe, 
and. wear the surplice; for refusing to do which, he 
threateneth to deprive your suppliant, as of late he hath 
done some others. And seeing that is the only living he 
hath enjoyed for above sixteen years, and was thereunto 
presented by your honour, may it please your good lord, 
even out of a tender regard to the cause of God and his 
poor suffering church, to extend your lawful favour towards 
him in this behalf, who hath behaved himself so honestly 
and uprightly during these sixteen years at Luffenham, 
every way according to his calling, and as becometh his 
profession; as, your honour allowing him a convenient 
time, he doubteth not to procure sufficient testimony from 
the worshipful and ministers of that county. And so your 
said orator shall be most dutifully bound to pray unto 
Almighty God for your good health, with much increase 
of honour, and your everlasting comfort. Your honour’s 
most obedient servant, | 
“ Rospert CawDReEY.” | 


The treasurer, upon the reception of this supplication, 


© MS. Register, p. 796, 797. 


436 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


sent to the bishop, inquiting what were the charges against 
Mr. Cawdrey, and wishing to know the reasons of his hard 
dealing with him. He requested, at the same time, that his 
grace would send him the articles, and Mr. Cawdrey’s 
answer®, rier ed farther steps were taken. NX otwith- 
standing thi r Caw appearing before the cqm- 
mission the very same day, and is answers being read, the 
bishop demanded what he bad to say. He then said, “ If 
my answers there set down will not sufficiently acquit me 
of all accusations, I then crave, as I have a right to do, 
that I may enjoy the benefit of her majesty’s gracious 
pardon.” Dr. Stanhope, the bishop’s chancellor, observed, 
as there was an exception against him in the statute, that 
would do him no good. But the exception, replied Mr. 
Cawdrey, related to the papists and recusants only ; and the 
statute being produced and examined, his statement was 
found correct. : 

This disappointment being extremely vexatious to his 
tyrannical persecutors, the angry prelate addressing his 
brethren upon the commission, said, “It is no matter 
whether it be so, or not; he shall be sworn to answer new 
articles.” Accordingly, he was constrained to swear, and 
give direct answers to the two articles following :— 
<< ‘Whether he would hereafter observe the Book of Com- 
mon Prayer in every point, or not.—And whether he would 
wear the surplice, or not.” To the former of these articles, 
he said, ‘‘ I will so far as I may according to the word of 
‘God, and with a good conscience.”” And to the latter, he 
said, “I am not yet resolved so to do.” The bishop then 
appointed him to appear again on the 30th of the same 
month. But previous to his next appearance, the lord 
treasurer, after an impartial hearing of both parties, sent 
an express order to the bishop, to ismiss him, and trouble 
_ himnomore. This was extremely galling to Aylmer, who 
replied, that as he was only one of the commission, he 
- could do nothing without the other commissioners ; addi ; 
‘he must appear on the day appointed, and we w 
consider his case according to equity and consciénce.”’* 
But little equity and conscience was to be expected from 
‘Bishop Aylmer and his brethren of the high commission. 
This will, indeed, appear before the close of the present 
narrative. | 8 
. Mr. Cawdrey, in the above painful circumstances, made 


* MS. Register, p. 794, 79%. 


# second application to the treasurer, giving him a correct 
account of the bishop’s proceedings, and soliciting 
his favour and. assistance. His letter, dated mine days 
after the former, was as follows :* 

. My honourable lord, I am bound most humbly to 
thank God for your honourable and good favour in this my 
great. vexation, haying now for the space of more than nine 
weeks, been bound over to answer from time to time. It 
grieveth me to be importunate with you in the midst of so 
many of your affairs, especially as you are in a poor state 
‘of health, from which 1 beseech do restore you; bat, 
my good lord, my miserable state even forceth me. Not- 
withstanding your favourable message and letters to the | 
Bishop of aden, in my behalf, he still k me inn 

rforming those duties which I owe to , my peop 
and my wife and children; and he seems as if he meant to 
wear me out, I haying lately claimed before the high 
commission, the benefit of her majesty’s gracious pardon, 
_ the bishop then caused me to take a new oath, and to 
answer new articles; namely, whether I would in every 
point observe the Book of Common Prayer; and whether I 
would wear the surplice. These being answered, he 
appointed me to appear again the 30th of this month, when 
my case will be further considered. Will it, therefore, 
please your good lordship, even at this time, to use such 
means to procure my discharge, as to your godly wisdam 
shall appear most proper? ‘To you, next under God, | fly — 
for refuge in this case. I protest, I am not obstinate in any 
one thing, as He knoweth whom I am most loath te. 
displease. I am your honour’s, &c. 

| <¢ Ropert CawpRey.” 

But the treasurer being sick, Mr. Cawdrey could receive 
no answer to the above letters therefore, upon the arrival of 
the day appointed, he appeared again before the commis- 
sion, en he was called, and his accusations were read, 
the bishop asked him what he had to say against their pro- 
ceeding to pronounce upon him the sentence of deprivation. 
“To Shich I answered,” : says the good man, ‘ that so far 
as my knowledge and counsel serve, I cannot see how you 
can deal so hardly with me. For if the rigour of the law 
should be extended against me for speaking against the 
book, the penalty, as set down in the statute, is only half a 
year’s imprisonment, and the loss of my living to her 


* MS. Register, p. 191. 


438 LIVES OF. THE PURITANS. 


majesty for one whole year: and the same statute saith it 
must be wilfully and ‘obstinately persisted in, which is not 
the case with me. Besides, the said trespass is already 
remitted by her majesty’s cious pardon; therefore, 
you have no just cause of deprivation.” The bishop, 
addressing Mr. Cawdrey, said, “ If you will abide by such 
order as { and the other commissioners shall appoint ; and 
will openly recant, in such places as we shall determine, those 
blasphemous speeches which you have ‘uttered against that 
holy book, and use it in every point, then we will stay our 
proceedings.” To this tyrannical proposal, Mr. Cawdrey 
only said, “ I would not do that for all-the world.” . 

One of the commissioners entreated him not to be 
obstinate, but to submit to their order; “ for,” said he, “ we 
hear that you live honestly, are well thought of in your 
country, are a good housekeeper, and have a wife and 
many children; therefore, take our good advice.” To 
which he thus replied: ‘ Both my wife and children shall 
go a begging, rather than I will offend God and my own 
conscience. And further, if you can justly charge me with 
any one instance of wickedness in life, or any false doc- 
trine, during the time I have been in the ministry, or at 
any time before, let the sentence of the law be inflicted 
with the utmost severity.” ‘ False doctrine!” said the 
angry prelate, “I will starid to it, that whosoever shall say 


the book is a vile and filthy book, which hath epistles and 


gospels, psalms and holy prayers in it ;* I say flatly le is ‘an 
heretic, take the law upon me who will.” a 

Afterwards, Mr. Cawdrey requested to have some time 
for further deliberation, but-it could not be granted. Then, 
to give them all the satisfaction in his power, he made the 
‘following protestation:—“ If you can charge me with 
holding any point of doctrine, which I cannot prove to be 
true, both by the word of God, and the judgment of those 
learned writers, whose works you, the high commissioners, 
‘have authorized to be printed and allowed in England; 
‘then let me have no favour at all.” Notwithstanding afl 
‘that he could ‘say, the excellence of his character and 
‘doctrine was utterly disregarded, so long as he refused to 
- ‘come up to the standard of conformity. The bishop, 

‘therefore, pronounced upon him the sentence of depriva- 
tion, discharging him from the ministerial exercise m any 

* His lordship might, with equal propriety, bave observed the same of 
the popish mass book. For, as our author justly affirms, it contains 


epistles and gospels, psalms and holy prayets. 


CAWDREY. + | 49 


part of the kingdom.* _ Mr. Strype, indeed, observes, that 
e was not only deprived, but continuing in his disobe- 
dience, he was also degraded by the high commission .af 
Lambeth ; and that he was charged, not only with noncon- 
formity, but want of learning.+ . 
Mr. Cawdrey, aware of the two-fold charge, presented 
the following humble vindication of himself to the lord 
treasurer: ‘“¢ As to my learning,” says he, “ though [I 
have none to boast of; yet, seeing I have been employed in 
study, and have exercised myself in expounding the scrip- 
tures and preaching the word of God, almost twenty years, 
I hope Ged hath blessed me with some small measure of - 
knowledge. I appeal to the people of my charge, and the 
good success of my ministry among them, which is a great 
comfort to my soul. I desire your lordship to examine me 
upon some portion of scripture, and I hope you will not 
find me so utterly void of learning, as to be wholly unfit 
‘to be exercised in the ministry. Indeed, I acknowledge, 
that, with respect to my important calling, and the abilif 
that is requisite to a proper discharge of it, I am very un 
for the sacred function. Yet it.affordeth me some comfort, 
that God in mercy hath so far blessed my labours, that I 
hope my people know as well as most, how to * render unto 
Cesar the things which are Cesar’s, and unto God the 
things which are God’s.”—And as to the charge of not 
using the Book of Common Prayer, I have always used i 
and still purpose to use it. Only I humbly request, that: 
may not be more narrowly searched into, and more hardly 
dealt with, than many others ministers in England.”{ __ - 
. Mr. Cawdrey having received the sentence of depriva- 
tion, and being dissatisfied with the ecclesiastical censure, 
was urged to submit his case to the further determination 
ef Archbishop Whitgift and Bishop Aylmer; but he 
utterly refused, for the following reasons :—‘‘ Because ‘he 
was persuaded in his conscience, and it was manifest from 
lamentable experience, that the lord bishops countenanced 
nonresidents, made many ignorant and idle shepherds, and 
dealt with great severity against many godly ministers for 
not observing the popish ceremonies :—Because they would 
allow any papist or atheist, being accused before them, te 
have a copy of their interrogatories and other proceedings ; 
but the ministers, who could not in conscience observe some 


, @ MS, Register, p. 195. -_ 7 
+ Life of Aylmer, p. 130, 181. ¢ Ibid.-p; 132, 133, 


440 LIVES OF THE: PURITANS. 


ceremonies, could neither. know their accusers, nor enjoy 
the benefit of subjects :——Because, though the bishops con- 
demned nonresidence as odious in itself, and injurious to 
the church of. God; yet they tolerated it, and dispens 
with it:—And because the said bishops did molest and 
‘deprive ministers for preaching the very same doctrines 
which they had themselves printed and published to the 
world.” On.these grounds, he was unwilling to submit 
his case to the determination of the two ecclesiastical 
judges, whose tender mercy was cruelty.* 

It will be proper also to observe, that he was no sooner 
brought under the ecclesiastical censure, than he made 
fresh.application to the treasurer. He wrote two letters, 
the one dated May 3ist, being the day following his 
Censure, and-the other the 3d of the following month. In 
these letters he gave an impartial account of the hard usage 
he had met with, earnestly soliciting his lordship’s favour- 
able attention to his unhappy case.+ ‘Upon the reception of 
these letters, the lord treasurer, convinced of the injuries he 
had received, warmly espoused bis cause; ‘and engaged 
Atiomey Morrice,t to undertake Mr. Cawdrey’s defence, — 
even after his suspension and: deprivation. The learned 
lawyer, therefore, held the bishop’s sentence to be null and 

in law; because Mr. Cawdrey’s benefice was not in 
Aylmer’s diocese, and so not within his jurisd:ction; and 
that the sentence was his lordship’s sentence alone, and not 
the sentence of the commissioners. For by law the sen- 
‘tence should have been given in the name of all the coms 
missioners present, and not in the name of one of them by 
consent of the others, as in the present case. In 
addition to this, the bishop had declared expressly in his. 
decree, that the cause was controverted before him by virtue 


* Life of Aylmer, p. 134—)88. + MS. Register, p 797, 708. 
} Attorney James Morrice was a most able and learned barrister, aynan 
of great piety, a zealous opposer of vice, and an avowed friend to the 
prmation. He was attorney of the court of wards, a member of ‘par- 
Jiainent, and a zealous and courageous defender of the rights and liberties 
of the people, against all oppression. In the parliament of 1502,. he 
tmeved the house to inquire into the proceedings of the bishops in spiritual 
courts, and how far they could justify their inquisition, their subscriptions, 
and their binding the queen’s subjects to their good bebaviour, contrary to 
the laws of God and the realm; their compelling men to take oaths to 
accuse themselves; and to deprive, degrade, and imprison them, and 
keep them in prison during their own pleasure. At the same time; he 
o@ered two bills ta the house; one st the cath ex officio, and the 
ther against the illegal proceedings of the bishops, in which he was sup- 
rted by Sir Francis Knollys and other great statesmen.—Strype’s 
ift, p. 387, S&B, mt pets Coes 


CAWDREY. — “1 


- of -his office, which could not be before the commissioners, 
- And. if. the cause were depending before his losdship, by 
“virtue of his office, how could the judgment, said Morrice, 
-be any other than his own? 

And as to the sentence itself, the attorney held {t to be | 
“contrary to law. For by law several other censures and 
punishments, as admonition, excommunication, and 
‘tration, were to be inflicted previous to deprivation. But 
in Mr. Cawdrey’s case, that sentence which is the most 
severe, and ought to have been inflicted last, was inflicted 
first. This, therefore, was contrary to the statute, and not 
warranted by any of the queen’s ecclesiastical laws.» Thus 
Mr. Attorney Morrice endeavoured to make it appear, that 
the bishop’s proceedings were illegal and Ive. 

But the arguments of the learned barrister proved 
ineffectual. They were too weak to ‘soften the mind of 
this relentless prelate. Mr. Cawdrey refusing to submit 
himself to the illegdl and severe proceedings, was brought 
before Archbishop Whitgift and other high commissioners. 
-He appeared at beth, May 14, 1500; and after being 


deprived for speaking against the Book P. 
our divine replied, * that is not true; for it appears 
my answers to the articles upon my oath, that it was for 


443 LIVES OF: THE, PURITANS. 


. pwoceedings in future. You need not be afraid of their 
yas, especially as you have the Jaw on your side» 
the altomey soon drew down their vengeance upon his 
own head.t For this bold adventure in defending Mr. 
Cawdrey against the Oppressions of the prelates, and for the 
motions which he made in parliament, as intimated in the 
above note, he was seized in the house by a serjeant at arms, 
diacharged from his office in the court of the Duchy of 
cLancaster, disabled from any practice. in his profession as a 
berrister at law, and kept some years prisoner in Tutbury 
castle, Staffordshire.; 
. Mr. Cawdrey having experienced the above illegal and 
grael.usage, was advised to appeal to the court of exche- 
quer, and proceed ‘against his diocesan’s chaplain, who had 
taken possession of his living. He made his appeal; and 
in the year 1591, the jurisdiction of the high commission 
ceurt, together with its severe proceedings against Mr. 
Cawdrey, was argued before all the judges. Dr. Aubery, 
m learmed civilian, and one of the high commissioners, 
confessed that their proceedings were not warrantable by 
abe letter of. the statute, and that no statute of the realm 
would justify the said proccedings; but what they had 
done was founded upon the old canon law still in force. 
And though their proceeding by way of inquisition, forcing 
the man to accuse himself, was warranted by no law what~ 
ever, the judges being of. the same mind as the commis- 
aoners, confirmed their tyrannical proceedings, and left 
Sar. Cawdrey, with his family of eight children, to starve 
esamere layman. Besides the good man having twenty- 
“two journies to London, the suit cost his friends a round 
pum of money.§ But, as Mr. Neal justly observes, it was 
‘ -® Strype’s Aylmer, p. 143, 144. . = 
 % Heylin’s Hist. of Pres. p. 320. 
} This castle, pow in a state of ruin, was formerly a spacious and stroag 
face. Here Mary Queen of Scots, was, for a considerable time, in a 
stase of confinement. This was occasioned by a jealousy and a quarrél 
trising betwixt her and Queen Blizabeth, when the latter, for her. own 
eafety, caused the former to be imprisoned. But what is. most curieus, 
during the queen’s imprisonment in this castle, her extrayagance was so 
that when she bathed, she bathed in’'wine, ‘And in addition to the 
nee quantity of wine required for bathing, two twns a month were not 
eufficient for her ordinary use. The Earl of Shrewsbury, in whose custody 
the queen was kept, and who appears then to have been governor of. the 


castle, therefore applied to the lord treasurer, stating her extraordinary 
expenses; at the same time, soliciting some favourable allowance from the 


public treasure. Also there is preserved a most curious letter, from the 
Queen of Scots, to Queen Elizabeth, dated from Tutbury castle, March 14, 
1569.—Strype’s Annals, vol. i. p. 538, 589. Appen. p. 61, 62. 


§ Heylin’s Hist, of Pres, p. 317.—Strype’s Aylmer,-p..148, 146, * 


| CAMWDREY. = °°” 48 


a brave stand for the rights and liberties of the subject; 
and it so much staggered the archbishop, that he afterwards 
declined the business of the commission, and ‘sent most of 
his prisoners to the star-chamber. ; 
Mr. Cawdrey having endured these troubles for the space 
of five years, and being almost ruined; the treasurer, lis 
constant friend, compassionately feeling his manitold cala- 
mities, still warmly espoused his cause. He not only u 
his diocesan, who had sequestered his living, and given it 
to bis chaplain, ‘to allow him some annual pension; but 
requested that so excellent and useful a preacher might be 
again restored to his ministry ; in each of which, howevey, 
he most probably failed.» Mr. Cawdrey united with his 
brethren in subscribing the “‘ Book of Disciptine.”+ 
He was author of “ A Treasurie or Store-house of Sim. 
lies, both Pleasaunt, Delightfull and Profitable for all 
‘Estates of Men in zenerall, newly collected into Heades 
‘and Commonplaces,” 1609. In the preface to the reader 
‘prefixed to this work, the author observes that he haa 
begun another work, which he at first purposed to have 
united with it. This he calls «‘ A Treatise of Deffinitiogs 
‘of the principal words, points, and matters that a preacher 
shall have occasion to speak of;’” which he promised, God 
sparing his life, to publish in a separate work, soon after the 
former; but whether it ever came forth, or what other 
‘things he published, we have not been able to lcarn. : 
' In the above work, Mr. Cawdrey openly declares hfs 
sentiments on the necessity and importance of an exact 
christian discipline among the churches of Christ, and 
ives his opinion with great freedom concerning ignorant, 
‘idle-and. insufficient ministers. The minister, says he, who 
undertakes to feed the flock of Christ, by preaching and 
.catechising, and who has no knowledge to pertorm this 
-duty, or having sufficient knowledge, yet is nonresident, 
and absent from them, and thus suffercth the people to 
perish: for want of knowledge, such a one before (iod,.is a 
goul-murderer. Mr. Daniel Cawdrey, ejected in 1662, was 
his son.} _ 


* Heylin’s Hist. of Pres. p. 140, 147. 
+ Neal’s Puritans, vol. i. p. 493. 
} Palmer’s Noncen. Mem, vol. iii. p. 27. 


wt LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


Lever Woop was minister at Brenchley in Kent, but 
was.much persecuted for nonconformity. Upon the publi- 
cation of Whitgift’s three articles, in 1583, he and sixteen 
of his brethren, all ministers of Kent, waited upon the 
archbishop at Lambeth. When they appeared betore his 
grace, they declared that they could not, with a good con- 
science, subscribe to his articles, and desired to know 
whether they might still proceed in their ministry.» But, 
instead of obtaining his lordship’s approbation, they were 
allt immediately suspended, and Mr. Wood, with some 
athers, if not the whole, was cast into prison, where he con- 
tinued twelve months. At the expiration of that period, 
mpon his subscription as s far as the law required, and pro- 
mising to use the Book of Common Prayer,.and no other, 
he was released from prison.t+ - 

His troubles, however, were not over. He still continued 
under suspension. Therefore, he made interest at court, 
that he might be restored to his former labours.. He 
applied to Sir Francis Walsingham, secretary of state,t 
who interceded with the archbishop for his restoration to 
his ministry, but without success. Whitgift would not 
remove the ecclesiastical censure, and allow Mr. Wood to 
préach, unless he would subscribe without the least reserye, 
and practise a perfect conformity.; And the good man’s 
conacience not allowing him to do this, he remained under 
suspension at least eight years. He was under his lord- 
ship's censure in the year 1591, and whether he was ever 
restored is extremely doubtful. = , 


Hompurey Fenn.—This most learned and venerable 
divine was several years minister. at Northampton, and 
‘above forty years a laborious and faithful preacher in 
Coventry, uncommonly successful in his-ministry ; yet 


® See Art. Dudley Fenner. + Neal’s Puritans, vol.i. p. 406. 

¢ Sir Francis Walsingham was 2 steady promoter of the reformation; a 
sealqus and constant friend to the puritans; and a most celebrated states- 
man. His talent for business, his eloquence, insinuating address, uviversal 
intelligence, and profound secrecy, are mentioned by all our historians. 
He was employed by Queen Elizabeth in the most important embassies, and 
advanced to the post of secretary of ‘state; notwithstanding which, he 
was so far from accumulating a fortune, that he spent his patrimony inthe 
service of the public, and was buried in the night, at the expense of his 
friends, through fear of his corpse being arrested for debt: a fault which 
few statesmen since his time have been guilty of. He died April 6, 1590.— 
Welwood's Memoirs, p. 9—12.—Granger’s Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 232. 

§ Faller’s Church Hist. b, ix. p. {62, 1683,—Strype’s Whitgift, p. 226, 227. 

§ MS. Register, p. 585, . 


WOOD—FENN.° tsi 


he underwent matty troubles for nonconformity. While in 
the former. situation, he experienced the cruel oppressions 
of the times, and was apprehended and committed to | 
close prison, where he remained a long time. During his 
confinement, the inhabitants at Northampton presénted a 
‘supplication to Queen Elizabeth, humbly and earnestly 
beseeching her majesty to grant his release, and his restora- 
tion to his beloved ministry. In this supplication they 
affirmed’ upon their dutifal allegiance, that during his 
abode in that place, he had lived an honest and a peaceable 
life, and gavé a high character of his diligence in preach- 
ing, his obedience to God, ‘and to those in authority. It 
does not appear, however, whether this application was at 
all successful. It is very probable he never retyrned to his 
charge at Northampton. a 
- Having at length obtained his release, he most probably 
entered upon his ministerial charge in the city of Coventry. 
The oppressed puritans being desirous to be eased of their 
heavy burdens, Mr. Fenn was unanimously chosen by the 
London ministers, to accompany the Earl of Leicester, in 
a pteseritation of their afflictions and desires to those in 
authority ; but with what success, we have not been able to 
learn. | He consented to this appointment, saying “ that he 
was ready to run, whenever the church commanded him.” 
It is said to have been his opinion, that impropriations, 
which were attached to her majesty, to colleges, &c. ought 
to be set to the pastors; and that all tythes, which are 
appendages by some composition, should be paid to the 
ministers in specie. It is also’ observed, that he accounted 
it unlawful to receive the sacrament at the hands of a dumb 
minister, or to attend the ordinary service of the church 
without a sermon.* 
_ Upon the publication of W hitgift’s three articles, and the 
persecutions which followed, he was cited to Lambeth, and, 
refusing ta subscribe, was immediately suspended. When 
he appeared before the archbishop, he was urged by many. 
arguments, to. subscribe; and he, on the contrary, -endea- 
voured to’answer those arguments, stating his reasons for 
refusal. This was as follows : : : 
- Archbishop. Your subscription is required by the statute 
of 13 Eliz. | _ 
‘Fenn. - That statute extendeth no further than the confes- 
sion-of christian faith, arid the doctrine of the sacraments. 


* Baker’s MS. Collec. vo). xv. p. 13, 78. 7 


446 LIVES Of ‘THE PURITANS. 


_ A. There-is provision in the statute of 7 Eliz., that the 
queen, with her phigh coramissioners,:or the archbishop, 
may take further r. 
.. F. The proviso of 7 Eliz. can have no relation to 13 
Flis., which was some years after. And the proviso 
. h how far it is to be extended: not to taking 
away and establishing ceremonies. 

- A. But a0 much of the canon law is still in force, as is 
pot contrary to God’s word; and you have. promised 
ganonical obedience. 

. F. But the question is, whether the things required be 
agreeable to God’s word? And not only so, there is no 
canon which requires us to subscribe to the judgment of 


A. That i allow; but the law hath charged: the bishop 
to see that all things for the ministry be duly observed, as 
by law established ; and I take this order for the more 

tual execution of things already established. 

F. Your care and diligence in the execution of laws 
must be according to law, and not contrary to law; that is, 
by admonition, by suspension, by sequestration, or by 
deprivation, as the case may require. But these proceed- 
ings are not according to law; but an inquisition into our 
hearts and consciences, for which there is no law: 

_ A. I make this a decree and order for the. whole of my 
province, and, therefore, is to be observed as if it had been 
made before. | 

F. No one person, nor any number of persons, hath 
euthority to make decrees or constitutions, except in con- 
yocation ; which must be called together by the sing's writ : 
As 25 Henry VIII. and 1 Eliz., which is entitled, ‘“‘ The 
Submission of the Clergy.” 

A. I have the queen's consent. - 

, F. But that consent was not according to law provided 
in this behalf. Nor was it done in convocation. . 
. A. 1 have the consent of my brethren and some others. . 
. F. That was not according to the order of convocation 
wherein, we are to have our choice of foe ti durin, 
. Fenn remained under suspension a time, during 
the whole of which period his cure was:totally. néglected.t+ 
But by the kind favour of the Earl of Leicester, as appears 
from his letter to the archbishop, dated July 14, 1585, he 
Was at length restored to his ministry, when he returned te 


© MS. Register, p. 502. _ Thi. p. 145. 


* 


WIGHT. V 


his charge in Coventry.» The same honourable ‘ 
also promised, that he would treat with the bishop of Lich- 
field and Coventry, to obtain his favourable allowance. 
Though this excellent divine might probably enjoy peace 
and quietness for a season, his tr -were not ended. 
In the year 1591, an information was exhibited a 
him and many of his brethren, fur being concerned in thé 
classis, atending their associations, and subscribing the 
‘© Book of Discipline ;”’ when they were all apprehended, 
and committed to prison. A circumstantial account of 
these proceedings, together with their examinations and 
endeavours to procure their deliverance, is given in 
another place.t+ These worthy safferers, during their 
confinement, presented a long letter to the queen, dated 
April, 1592, in vindication of their own innocency.¢ It 
does not, indeed, appear how long a time they remained in 
prison, after that period. roses 
Upon Mr. Fenn’s release, he most probably returned to 
Coventry, where he spent the rest of his days. He died in 
a firm attachment to those principles for which he suffered, 
Mr. Clark observes, that he was famous for his ministry and 
nonconformity in the city of Coveatry ; and that in his last 
will and testament, he made so full and open a protestae 
tion against the hierarchy and ceremonies, that when his will 
was tendered to be proved, the prelates, or those of their 
party, would not allow it to have a place among the records 
of the court.s 


Dasiet Wicnt was a zealous minister of Christ, but 
greatly harassed for many years, on account of his noncon- 
formity. It is very probable that he preached at some 
place in London or its vicinity. In the year 1573, when 
Mr. Johnson and others were sent to the Gatehouse, Mr, 
Wight and several of his brethren were conmitted to New- 
gate. We do not, however, find how long he remained 
under the bondage of his enemices.j As Mr. Johnsm after- 
wards died under the pressure of his rigorous confinement ; 
so Mr. Wight afterwards oldained his liberty, and was 
restored to his ministry. He subscribed the “ Book of 
Discipline,” and took an active part in the associations; fox 


* Strype’s Whitgift, p. 226. + See Art. Thomas Cartwright. 


< Clark’s Lives aancxed to bie Martyrologic, p. 160. 
{ Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xxxii, p. 441, 44%. $ 


448 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


which his study was broken open, and searched, and his 
private papers were carried away. Those papers contained 
some of the resolutions agreed upon at their associations ; 
among which were the following :—‘“ That private baptism 
is unfawful.— That the sign of the cross ought not to be 
used in baptism.—That the calling of bishops is unlawful. 
—That the people ought to be taught charch discipline — 
That ministers ought to be called by their flocks. —And 
that no minister ought to subscribe to the Book of Common 
Prayer.”* These were the dangerous resolutions and 
opinions of Mr. Wight and his brethren, for which they 
were apprehended and cast into prison. They were most 
shamefully reproached and insulted in the high conimission 
and star-chamber; and were under confinement in the year 
1092, having been in prison nearly two years. Whether 
Mr. Wight continued much longer in bondage, we.cannot 
ascertain.t 


Witx1am Proup.ove was a respectable puritan minis- 
ter, who, about the year 1562, became vicar of Fansley in 
Northamptonshire; and ,in 1577, he became rector of 
Lamport in the same county.t He united with his 
brethren in their private associations, and took an active 
part in promoting the desired ecclesiastical discipline ; for 
which, in the year 1590, he was apprehended and cast into 
prison, where he remained a long time.; He was often 
carried before the high commission and the star-chamber, 
when he underwent the severe scrutiny and examination of 
his ecclesiastical inquisitors ; but refused the oath ex officio. 
On one of these occasions, the following interrogatories 
were proposed to him: | 

<< Whether have not you put in practice that opinion 
or determination of those that labour for a discipline and 
government by eldership, whereby they hold, that a godly 
minister is not to rest in or obey the suspension or depriva- 
tion of bishops or their officers, as it is practised in the 
church of England ?—-Whether were you suspended or 
excommunicated by your ordinary, and, nevertheless, did 
preach and execute your ministry, during such suspension 
or excommunication; and what moved you so to do ?— 
Whether have you besides the presentation by the patron, 


ad Sirype’s Whitgift, p. 291, 202. + See Art. Cartwright. 
B ’s Hist. of Northamptonshire, vol. i. p. 95, 118. 
See Cartwright. 7 . 


« 


» y 


a trl, examination, , calling, aad approbetea 
by some of your brethren and nei ERinneers 
assembled in classes of conference? Ila what menner 
and form was it ? whom, whee, andl 


performed : 
where 2”* What could his tyrannical judges mean by these | 
iniquitous proceedings, unless it was to force him t+: become 
his own accuser, and prove him guilty from his own con- 
fession ? 


Joux Morr.—This learned and pious divine was fellow 
of Christ’s college, Cambridge, where he most 
received his education. After is remo val from the uae 
versity, he became a popular and useful preacher at 
St. Andrew’s church in the city of Norwich ; but here he 
met with persecution on account of his nonconformity. 
Having refused to wear the surplice, principally on account 
of the offence which it gaye to others, he was convened 
before the bishop of the diocese, who told him that it was 
better to o a few private persons, than‘to offend God 
and disobey the prince. His lordship, indeed, gives him 
this honourable character: “I have not known that he has 
at any time spoken against her majesty’s book of Injunce 
tions, nor can [| find any manner of stubbornness in him. 
And surely,” adds the bishop, ‘ he is a godly and learned 
man, and hath done much good in this city."+ He wasa 
zealous champion for the purity of the gospel, and a bold 
opposer of all false doctrine, as appears from his public 
contest with the famous Dr. Pern of Cambridge. What a, 
pity then was it, that a divine, endowed with such excellent 
qualifications, should have been interrupted in his public 
ministry. 

The prelates rigorously imposing the ceremonies upon 
the clergy, Mr. More, with his brethren in and about 
Norwich, were among the numerous sufferers. ‘These 
divines, secing the approaching storm, prepared for it by 
presenting their humble supplication to the lords of the 
council, dated fram Norwich, September 25, 1576. In 
this supplication they declare their great readiness to yield 
their bodies, their goods, and their lives in the service of 

* Baker's M8. Collec. vol. xv. p. 16, 77. 

+ Strype’s Parker, p. 452. 

$ Strype’s Annals, vol. ii. p. 282. 

VOL. I. 26 


450 —_—_—sCWLLEVES OF THE PURITANS. 


their prince; yet they dare not yield to the intended con- 
formity. Having enlarged upon the manifold. evils 
necessarily arising from such rigorous impositions, they 
conclude in these words: “ As ‘to ourselves,” say they, 
.*6 we dare nat for all the world yield to those ceremonies. 
¢ And if the bishop proceed to urge them upon ministers, 
“as he hath begun, it will brin the most awful ruin upon 
“the church. There are already nineteen or twenty 
. “exercises of preaching and catechizing put down, by 
“ the silencing of ministers in this city. We, therefore, 
“humbly crave your assistance, both with our prince 
“and the bishops. The Lord God direct your honours 
“in this affair, and in all your other concerns, that 
“they may be for the profit of the church of God and 
CL advantage of our land. Yours most humbly in the 
>] 


s¢ Jonn More, Gerorce L&eps, 
«© RicHARD Crick, Ricuarp Dowe, 
“ TrHomas Rosperrs, Wiviiam Harr.» 


If Mr. More and his brethren were not brought into 
trouble previous to their application to the council, it is 
certain they were suspended not long after. This will 

pear from their own words, in the following submission, 
daied from Norwich, August 21, 1578, and presented to 
their diocesan :—‘“ The ministers,’ say they, ‘“‘ whose names 
“ are underwritten, humbly crave favour to be restored to 
“‘ their preaching, upon subscription to all those articles 
“ which concer the confession of the true christian faith 
“(and doctrine of the sacraments, according to the words 
“ of the statute. And concerning ceremonies, order, .and 
“ government, they acknowledge that they are so far toler- 
“able, that for the same, no man ought to withdraw 

“himself from hearing the word of God, and receiving the 
_ sacraments; nor, on.the same account, ought any minister 
*¢ to refuse-to preach the word of God, and to administer 
“‘ the sacraments, 


¢ Joun More, Ricwarp Dowe, 
“« Richarp Crick, GrorGceE LEEps, 
‘ THomas Roserts, Joun Mapes.’’s 


“ Vincent Goovwin, 


* MS. Register, 256, + Ibid. p. 285. 


J.MORE:  ABL 


From: the above ‘submission it is qbvious that Bishop 
Maddox had not sufficiently examined the subject, or that 
his materials of information.were defective, when he affirms 


that Mr. More does not appear to have been suspended.s . 


It is not, indeed, equally clear how long he remained under 
the episcopal censure, nor whether his submission was at all 
available. About the year 1584, after the publication of 
Whitgift’s three articles, we find .this excellent divine and 
upwards of sixty others, all ministers of Norfolk, not 
resolved to subscribe. And about the same time, the minis- 
ters of Norwich, being grievously oppressed with the sevee 


rities laid upon them, presented to the archbishop their . | 


reasons for refusing subscription, earnestly soliciting the 
resqlution of their scruples and objections; but I do not 
find what satisfaction they obtained.t Dr. Ames styles 
Mr. More a most heavenly man, and the light and glory of 
the church.t Mr. Granger gives the following account of 
him: ‘ This worthy person,” says he, “‘ was about twenty 


years minister of St. Andrew’s in Norwich; where he was ° 


held in great veneration for his general knowledge in the 


sciences, his exact skill in the learned languages, and, above . . 


all, for his extensive learning and indefatigable labours as 
a divine. He constantly preached thrice every Sunday, 
and was much admired for his excellent talent that way. 
He refused very considerable preferments, which would 
have been attended with less labour than his cure at Nore 
wich, only because he thought he could be more useful in 
that city.” This author, giving an account of the different 
modes of dress at this period, observes, that ‘“‘ Mr. John 
More of Norwich, one of the worthiest clergymen in the 
reign of Elizabeth, gave the best reason that could be 
given for wearing the longest and largest beard of an 
tnglishman of his time; namely, ‘ That no act of his life 
might be unworthy of the gravity of his appearance.’’’5 He 
died in the year 1599. Faller includes him. among the 
learned writers, being fellows of Christ’s college, Cam- 
bridge ; and says, he made the excellent map of the Land of 
Palestine. | 


In the last will and testament of Mr. Thomas Merburie, | 


* Vindication of the Church of England, p. S41, 
+ MS. Register, p. 286, 436. 
é Ames’s Fresh Suit, Appen. p. 18. 
Granger’s Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 217, 218, 288, 
- |] Fuller’s Hist, of Camb. p. 92. 


452 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 


of the above college, dated December 1, 1571, and proved 

the 5th of the same month, honourable mention is made of 

Mr. More; and Mr. Merburie bequeathed to him all his 

eth divinity, and made him one of the supervisors of 
j i Pad ‘ 


| @ Baker's M8. Collec, vol. iii. p. S14. 


EXD OF VOL. I. 


PP OPPO ODPPPPPOP PDO 


PLPPPPOOPPOOOP DOC LR 
BUGHES, PRINTER, MAIDEN-LANE, COVENT-GARDES. (Y 
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